The Friends of Shanklin Theatre became one of the first to install a public Defibrillator in the Shanklin area back in 2014, and last year it was put to good use when it saved the life of John Howard.
For the first two years it had been held at the Light and Sound Desk in the main theatre auditorium and in the summer of 2015 was fetched and taken to the Old Village following the collapse of John.
Fortunately, Dr. Kate Thomas was on hand to give resuscitation and then apply the defibrillator which saved the life of John. In gratitude following his recovery, he donated the cost of the external cabinet for the AED which now means the appliance is available twenty four/seven from a position close to the Box Office door of the Theatre.
On Wednesday morning 20th July, Peter Coleman (FOST Chair until April) Linda Richter (NHS ATCoRS) and Dr. Kate Thomas officially opened the facility.
Peter Coleman who was responsible for the original concept said that following its use last summer “It was recognised that if the Theatre was not open at the time the AED was required, this could cost a life. So when John offered to fund the external cabinet, the Friends gratefully agreed to seek permission and place the new cabinet so that everyone could have access whatever the time or day”.
Pictured Left to Right: David Kast (FOST Chair), Peter Coleman, Linda Richter (IW Ambulance Service) and Dr Kate Thomas.
Below the newly installed Cardiac Science G3 Automated External Defibrillator.
Peter Coleman
