Workington Rugby Football Club, currently celebrating its 100th anniversary at Ellis Sports Ground, has installed a publicly accessible defibrillator at its home.
This vital piece of life-saving equipment has been made possible with support from the Department of Health and Social Care, Workington Town Council, and OneAim.
The defibrillator will be available for use by anyone in the community should a cardiac emergency occur.
It comes after cardiac events during rugby training sessions in Penrith and Whitehaven, highlighting the importance of readily available emergency equipment.
It also underscores the club’s commitment to the community during its centenary year, it said.
“As we celebrate 100 years at Ellis Sports Ground, we’re not just looking back at our history, but also looking forward to the next 100 years and ensuring the safety of our community,” said Kevin O’Neil, Workington facilities chairman.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Department of Health and Social Care, Workington Town Council, and OneAim for their support in making this defibrillator a reality. Having a publicly accessible defibrillator on site provides us with peace of mind and the ability to respond quickly and effectively in a critical situation.”
The funding provided by Workington Town Council enabled the purchase of the defibrillator, while OneAim handled the installation.
Neil Schofield, Workington mayor, said: “We are delighted to have been able to provide funding for this vital piece of life saving equipment. It is part of the council’s ambitions to ensure there is more than one defibrillator in each ward and key area of the town to ensure they are accessible for all.”
