A community initiative has led to the welcome installation of a defibrillator at St Peter’s Church in Jarrow.
The life-saving device is now in place at the church, on York Avenue, thanks to a collaborative project involving St Peter’s, the Women’s Institute (WI) and national charity the Red Sky Foundation, which supports babies, children and adults who suffer from heart conditions and are in need of cardiac care.
The local branch of the WI, which is based at the church hall at St Peter’s, raised money for Red Sky when its members volunteered to support runners along the route of last year’s Great North Run.
In response, the charity, which has installed over 700 defibrillators across the country, identified St Peter’s as a suitable location and was only too happy to fit one at the church for the benefit of the whole community.
On Tuesday (3 September), representatives of St Peter’s, the WI and Red Sky joined together to celebrate the installation of the new defibrillator.
Sergio Petrucci MBE, Founder of Red Sky Foundation said: “I’m thrilled to be working with the WI because not only are they a great group of people but they are so inspiring; a group of women coming together and doing such amazing things for great causes and we are one of those great causes now to work in partnership.
“The defibrillator is here to serve the local community, just as is the church and their community hall, and if anyone should need it in a cardiac arrest, it’s there to hopefully help save their life.”
Shirley Butterfield, President of Jarrow WI said: “Red Sky was our chosen charity among our members, and we were happy to support Sergio’s work. We are out there again on Sunday (8 September) supporting the Great North Run at the finish line, Red Sky and all the runners.”
Rita Blakey, Church Warden at St. Peter’s said: “As a church we are grateful to all of the groups who meet in the church hall and support what we are doing, and to have a defibrillator here for local people is wonderful for the community.”
The Revd Lesley Jones, Rector of Jarrow and Simonside said: “Giving thanks for the gift of this new defibrillator is a great way for us to begin our preparations for Harvest this year, as is giving thanks for community partnerships that flourish and remind us that there is so much good in the world, and we can do so much more when we work together.”
The Great North Run is a key fundraiser for Red Sky, which has accumulated more than £2 million in the past four years to help people’s hearts.
In addition to volunteer helpers from the WI and elsewhere, there will be 435 people running for the Red Sky Foundation in Sunday’s Great North Run – and over 200 children representing it in Saturday’s Junior & Mini Great North Run.
Red Sky not only raises vital funds, it provides lifelong support to those who are in need of cardiac care, and their families.
To find out more about the work of Red Sky Foundation or to make a donation please visit: https://redskyfoundation.com/
To find out more about Jarrow WI visit: https://tyne-and-wear-south.thewi.org.uk/find-wi/jarrow
For more information on the parish and plans for celebrating Harvest and National Generosity Week please visit the parish website: https://www.parishofjarrowandsimonside.info/