A LIFE-SAVING defibrillator has been officially unveiled.

Twenty people watched at East Taphouse Community Hall as the launch of the defibrillator recently installed on the front of the community hall was carried out jointly by Carol Spear, on behalf of St Pinnock Parish Council who initiated the project, and Sue Knapman, on behalf of East Taphouse Community Hall where it is sited and who provided the electricity and internet connections.

Its purchase and support for the next five years were funded by SUEZ Recycling & Recovery UK who run the nearby Connon Bridge landfill site.

The evening continued with Norman Trebilcock of Front Line Emergency Equipment Trust giving a very informative talk and demonstration on how to administer CPR.

This was followed by a demonstration of how to use the defibrillator to re-start the heart. Volunteers from the audience were able to practice both of these techniques using a dummy.

People were surprised to learn how often defibrillators were used.

Norman Trebilcock will be running in the London Marathon on April 22 to raise further funds to continue FLEET’s work in upgrading and standardising the equipment used on all of Cornwall’s ambulances. A collection at the end of the training session raised £100 towards his effort.