THREE paramedics are putting their best feet forward when it comes to saving lives in the community.
Oliver Faulkner, Dean Gray and Hayley Mallinson, who work for the ambulance service in South East Cornwall, will be running the London Marathon in support of FLEET (the Front Line Emergency Equipment Trust).
The three aim to raise a total of £7500.
FLEET has already installed more than 150 Public Access Defibrillators (PADs) across Cornwall and will continue to provide more this year. The Trust’s aim is for every community to have easy access to a PAD. As a front-line medic, Oliver, who lives in Liskeard, knows better than anyone that PADs really can save lives.
‘Access for ambulances down narrow country lanes is difficult,’ said Oliver.
‘And with more than 14 million visitors to Cornwall each year, the emergency services are challenged to provide the best possible care. The congested, remote locations often delay response time and cause lengthy transport times to hospital.
‘Because of the time it can take for an ambulance to get to someone, having a defibrillator is vitally important, especially in some of the more rural places in South East Cornwall.’
The Public Access Defibrillator gives clear and simple instructions to the user, meaning anyone can operate the equipment without necessarily needing prior training – although training is encouraged.
Oliver’s determination to fund more of this equipment has seen him through some of the tough training he has had to do for the London Marathon, which is set to take place on April 22.
The 27-year-old decided last autumn he would enter the race – and having never run before, he has been getting used to the hail, mud and cold of the Cornish winter months.
Oliver, Dean and Hayley have been encouraged by a donation of £250 by Viridor Credits. They hope that as many people as possible will visit their fundraising page – www.justgiving.com/teams/FLEETLONDON2018 – to find out more and support the appeal.