Defibrillators installed at Exmoor Livestock Markets
Lifesaving defibrillators are installed at the heart of the farming community on Exmoor
With thanks to match funding from London Hearts both Exmoor Livestock Markets situated at Cutcombe and Blackmoor Gate have lifesaving defibrillators which are accessible to the public 24/7.
London Hearts, a charity providing funding grants to make defibrillators more affordable to communities and organisations across the country have provided match-funding for this initiative.
Cutcombe Market
Blackmoor Gate
Peter Huntley, Manager of Exmoor Farmers Livestock Auctions said“ If somebody has an accident or a heart attack at the market site, it’s imperative we act quickly as it could be a matter of life or death. We have farmers of all ages coming to the market and if the defibrillator saves one life, then it’s invaluable.
Katherine Williams, Exmoor Hill Farming Network Manager said: “The aim of our organisation is to support the farming community across Exmoor in a variety of ways. These vital machines will be become a respected community asset in a time of need. EHFN and Exmoor Rural Health Hub (ERHH) have both contributed to the purchases. Ian May, EHFN Chairman added ‘’ We were eager to ensure the defibrillators were available to the farming community and members of the public 24/7. We will look to work to train staff and members of the farming community to make the most effective use of them’’.
Olivia Winterton, ERHH Trustee said ‘When the ERHH were approached by the Exmoor Hill Farming Network to support the London Hearts match-funding initiative to get more defibrillators into rural communities, we had no hesitation in offering to fund one of the two machines which have now been installed at the two Exmoor Farmers Livestock markets. Being able to provide potential lifesaving machines for the Exmoor markets perfectly satisfies one of the primary aims of our charity: to deliver access to health and mental well-being support for the farming and wider community on and around Exmoor’.
The defibrillator models supplied at Blackmoor Gate and Cutcombe Markets are registered with both Devon and Somerset Ambulance Service’s through a dedicated website portal.
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