THANKS to the initiative of Dr Charles Sheldrick, Chair of Cheriton Fitzpaine Parish Council, the village now has a defibrillator outside the Parish Hall.

The Automated External Defibrillator (AED) was part-funded by the Parish Council and the British Heart Foundation. Although the machine is very easy to use, operators do need to have a basic knowledge of resuscitation.

Mary and David Nunn and friends will be holding an evening in the Parish Hall on Thursday, August 18 from 7.30pm to help familiarise local people with it.

David Eldridge from Silverton is Chairman of Exeter and District Branch of the British Heart Foundation presented the AED to members of the Parish Council, Sharon Humphries and Susan Meads. Local resident Paula Mossman also attended the official presentation and said: “I am passionate about community defibrillators. About 14 years ago, my mother-in-law’s life was saved by just such a machine.

“She collapsed in a shopping centre in Peterborough. Her heart had stopped suddenly and without warning. Passers-by did CPR on her until shopping centre staff fetched the defibrillator that was kept there.

“Her heart was successfully restarted, and after a period in hospital, she went on to live a normal and active life for several more years.

“Hospital staff told us that if the defibrillator had not been available she would almost certainly have died on the spot. These machines really are life-savers and our community is fortunate to have one for its use.

“It is now our responsibility to make sure that everyone over 16 knows how to use it properly. After all, it could be any of us, young or old, who might need it at any time.”

Mary Nunn