ST John Ambulance in Okehampton have raised almost £600 towards buying new equipment that could help save lives.

When someone suffers a cardiac arrest, the chance of survival falls by ten per cent every minute without first aid. But, with CPR and the use of a defibrillator within three minutes, their chance of survival could be as high as 70%.

St John Ambulance’s regional fundraising co-ordinator, Kevin Dickens said: ‘Our Donate for Defibs fundraising appeal is about asking people to help raise money for defibrillators which our volunteers will use to treat people who suffer a cardiac arrest.

‘All the money raised through the appeal will fund St John Ambulance defibrillators in the South West and I’m delighted that Waitrose customers in Okehampton have donated £540 towards the cost of one through the store’s Community Matters scheme – every penny counts.’

Including other donations, the Okehampton Unit has raised £580.03 towards the appeal.

Each defibrillator costs around £1,000, so the charity is hoping more people will donate to the appeal and hold their own fundraising events.

Kevin added: ‘Every donation will help us to make sure we have a defibrillator available when it’s needed most, to give more people the chance to survive a cardiac arrest. The more defibrillators we have, the better equipped we are to save lives.’

There are two ways the public can get involved with the appeal, by making a donation towards the cost of a defibrillator or by signing up to the charity’s three minute fundraising challenge on www.sja.org.uk 

For more information on the St John Ambulance fundraising campaign, visit www.sja.org.uk or call 08700 10 49 50.