A MAJOR fundraising campaign has got under way to maintain lifesaving equipment and training in Looe.

In 2018, the whole community, supported by South Western Ambulance Service Foundation Trust (SWASFT), came together to raise enough funds to place 14 public access defibrillators around the town. There are 17 defibs in total in various locations in East and West Looe.

In addition, a number of Basic Life Support and Defibrillator training sessions have been provided to members of the public, clubs and local schools by SWASFT.

Since the project was established, the units have been deployed to many incidents and the training provided has been used to help family members, friends and complete strangers.

“We now need to raise £16,000 by May 2022 to enable us to continue providing lifesaving training to our community and extend our defibrillator contract for a further four years,” said harbourmaster Tina Hicks, who has been co-ordinating the scheme.

“This equipment and training really can be the difference between life and death.

“We are therefore asking for people to support this very worthwhile cause.”

Volunteers were out in force over the weekend in Looe to kickstart the Defibrillator Appeal fundraising. The next street collection will be on Christmas Eve (Friday) in the Rose Garden, from 10am-3pm.

Meanwhile, a Go Fund Me page has been launched and you can support the appeal by visiting https://gofund.me/67d43959/

Cash donations can be dropped into the Looe Harbour Office.