Ratho Station community benefits from installation
A NEW 24-hour publicly accessible defibrillator device has been installed at Scotmid Ratho Station following a community initiative backed by new-home construction firm Taylor Wimpey.
Taylor Wimpey East Scotland has donated the potentially lifesaving device and external cabinet to the store from its recently completed Lauder Grove development to the Ratho Station store, which will provide a permanent home for the equipment.
The initiative was sparked by local Michelle Black after a fellow resident at Ratho Station died following a cardiac arrest. This prompted Black to investigate the availability of the machines across the village and found that the four local businesses with them had restricted access and were not available to the community 24 hours a day.
Following this, Black approached her local Scotmid store to see if the local team could help which prompted the retail chain to explore solutions to help remedy the issue. This in turn led Scotmid to work alongside Taylor Wimpey East Scotland, which had a defibrillator and external cabinet available following the completion of the nearby Lauder Grove development.
Speaking on the new machine installed at Scotmid Ratho Station, Black said: “I’m delighted that what started as a concern about access to a defibrillator has resulted in something that could genuinely save a life. I’m incredibly grateful to Scotmid and Taylor Wimpey for listening and working together to make this happen for our community.”
This also makes up part of the construction firm’s ongoing partnership with the British Heart Foundation to donate the machines to local communities in which it builds.
Lynne Ogg, head of membership & community engagement at Scotmid Co-operative, said: “Michelle highlighted an important issue, and we were keen to help find a practical, long-term solution. We’re grateful to Taylor Wimpey for donating the defibrillator and cabinet, and to British Heart Foundation Scotland for their continued support.”
