Defibrillator installed at Leicestershire Marina

One of the first defibrillators based in a Leicestershire marina has just been installed at the L R Harris Old Junction Boatyard at Meadow Lane in Syston.

It has been purchased by Michelle Harris, wife of one of the partners, Ian & mother of the other partner, Mark in memory of Michelle’s mum, Jean Grant (Jean with husband Mick in the photo). Jean was a long term Syston resident and was always both pleased and proud to hear of other places in Syston having these machines installed. So, when Jean passed away in November 2014, Michelle decided to have one fitted at the boatyard to aid Syston residents in Jean’s name.

The machine is accessible by the entire community and will be of benefit to local boaters, walkers, cyclists and others as it is closer to the canal/river and Watermead Park than other machines which are more centrally based in the town itself, thus making it quicker to receive treatment. Once 999 is called ,if someone presents with symptoms of a heart attack,they will be given the location of the box & the code to enter to get the defib machine out. then once the spoken instructions have been followed and the electrodes are correctly fitted to the patient,the machine will administer the shock.

Whilst it is hoped the machine is not used too regularly it is nice to know that Jean, with her eldest daughters assistance will be helping in some way her beloved Syston community.

Thanks to Sandra Harris at the marina for this report.