A DEFIBRILLATOR has been installed at The New Life Church — making it the sixth to be installed in Okehampton by a local charity.

The newest installation has been completed by charity Okehampton PADs at the junction of New Road and High Street, with support from Devon County Council and donations from Coop Food.

Okehampton PADs has provided six locations for the 24-hour defibrillators, making a total of ten public access defibrillators available to the community of Okehampton — cabinets can also be found at 2 Rivers Restaurant on Fore Street; the public toilets, George Street; Okehampton Fire Station on North Road; Gillian’s Curtis Cuts, Crediton Road; Costcutter, Exeter Road; Elemental Microanalysis Ltd, Exeter Road Industrial Estate; Okehampton Primary School; the Pavilion in the Park and the bowls club.

A spokesperson from the charity said: ‘It is vitally important that people are aware of these locations but also that the charity offers free training to the surrounding residents of Okehampton. Training is open to anyone that lives, or visits Okehampton and if you are aged 14 or over you are encouraged to take up the opportunity of these free training sessions. Over the last 12 months Okehampton PADs has trained more than 200 people and plan to continue this training.’

The charity asks all members of the community to encourage their families and friends to take part in these free training sessions.

‘With the ambulance service working hard with limited resources across the South West we must be able to act fast in our communities to help anyone in a life threatening situation. Just a short two-hour session can give everyone the skills and confidence to provide first aid treatment in these situations.

‘When a casualty stops breathing their chance of survival drops rapidly. However, with skills and knowledge in performing good quality CPR and having the confidence in using community defibrillators, this can give them the best chance of survival.’

There are more than 50 defibrillators within 15 miles of Okehampton.

Okehampton PADs’ free training continues on September 25 at the Ockment Centre from 7pm to 9pm. Booking is essential. Contact [email protected], visit its Facebook page or website www.okepads.wixsite.com/okepads for more information.