THE Hale community has galvanised support in recent weeks to raise funds for a public access defibrillator to be placed outside the village hall, providing lifesaving equipment for local people as well as those using the sports field adjacent to the hall.

Ambulance crews in England attempt to resuscitate some 28,000 people each year. Survival rates are around eight per cent, but the chances of a good outcome are dramatically improved if members of the public attempt basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation and a defibrillator is available before the ambulance arrives. Every minute counts.

Geoff Wallis, who chairs the Hale Village Hall committee, has led community efforts to raise awareness of CPR and raise funds for a defibrillator. With advice from Professor Tom Quinn, an expert in resuscitation who works at St George’s in Tooting and lives in Hale, the hall hosted two events recently.

On Saturday, April 2, more than 40 Hale residents attended CPR and defibrillator awareness led by Joanne Michaelides and Jim Lawson from Heartstart Farnham Lions, to the accompaniment of the Bee Gees’ Staying Alive.

Attendees were shown a short British Heart Foundation Film featuring cardiac arrest survivors and the members of the public who resuscitated them, demonstrations of CPR and defibrillators, and get ‘hands on’ practice.

And on Saturday, April 9, around 80 people took part in an evening quiz and supper which raised more than £700 towards the defibrillator.

Geoff Wallis was delighted to announce to those present that the Hale Carnival Committee had generously agreed to donate the remaining funds required to enable the purchase of the defibrillator and cabinet - an announcement that was met with rapturous applause.

Tom Quinn also accepted an invitation to join the carnival committee, acknowledging the excellent work they do to organise the very successful annual Hale Carnival and raise money for good causes.

Geoff Jeal from Farnham Lions, who participated in the quiz evening offered to facilitate the purchase of the defibrillator through Farnham Lions, ensuring it will be covered by their insurance scheme as part of the initiative to increase the availability of defibrillators around Farnham.

The defibrillator has subsequently been installed at Hale Village Hall by supporters Chris Badham and Tom Quinn at the end of May.