Defibrillator installed at Blue Pits office

Staff and tenants with the new defibrillator

A defibrillator has been installed at the Blue Pits Housing Action office on Drake Street, after a series of fundraising efforts.

Over the last 12 months, the social housing provider – which supports tenants with mental health issues as well as substance misuse and rehabilitation – has been raising money for three lifesaving defibrillators.

The first defibrillator was installed on Drake Street on 3 July, with the additional two to be installed at Dunsterville House and Thornbush Way.

Events held include a summer fayre, a fancy-dress sponsored walk, and sponsored haircuts, plus collections at Tesco and Asda.

A member of the Blue Pits Housing Action team said: “Thanks to the generous donations we have received so far, we have been able to purchase one defibrillator unit, however, we would like to raise enough money to purchase two more. These will be kept at our services across Rochdale and the surrounding area.

“These lifesaving pieces of equipment will be available for our tenants as well as the local community.”

Defibrillators give a high-energy electric shock to the heart of someone who is in cardiac arrest.

To help someone who is in cardiac arrest effectively, a defibrillator needs to be found as quickly as possible. For every minute it takes for the defibrillator to reach someone and deliver a shock, their chances of survival reduce by up to 10%.

The team member added: “Safety is paramount in what we do as a specialist housing provider. This piece of equipment is the difference between life and death. The average wait time for an ambulance is approximately eight minutes or longer. We could save someone’s life in the time it takes an ambulance to reach us.”

Donations towards the defibrillators can be made via GoFundMe.