The Tameside Reporter, Tameside Radio and local magazine About Tameside all team up this week to support the launch of a major new campaign.

‘Defibs for Denton’ aims to bring lifesaving devices for everyone to as many locations as possible across the town.

Denton North East councillor Denise Ward is spearheading the campaign, prompted by the lifesaving actions of Tameside Life Line Community Ambulance directors John Gilmour and Penny Brooks.

As we reported just before Christmas, John was playing the part of Santa at a Christmas dinner event when grandfather Tom Webster collapsed after his heart stopped beating.

Luckily Santa (John) immediately stepped in with Penny to give Tom CPR and save his life, with the story ultimately making national radio and local television headlines.

Although John’s fully equipped ambulance was at the scene, the incident highlighted the importance of having a defibrillator at the Festival Hall in Denton, where the Christmas luncheon function was taking place at the time.

FLASHBACK: John, as Santa, is thanked by Tom after saving his life

Cllr Ward’s initial idea to raise money to buy one of the lifesaving machines for the hall has gradually grown over the festive holidays, with the idea now to raise as much money as possible to buy devices for various locations across the town, as well as at the hall.

She said: “What’s great about being at the Festival Hall after its closure is opening up its use to a number of groups in the community, from the Luncheon Club to Tony Moran at the Denton Bowling Group and Janet Fagan with the theatre group. John Gilmour and Penny from Lifeline plus the NHS were attending the Luncheon Club on the last Thursday of the month to do health checks too. 

“So, with the increased use and the incident involving Tom last year it stimulated the idea to get a defibrillator here.

“But now we intend to raise funds to get Denton some more defibrillators that can be sited in the town centre, including at the Festival Hall.’

A key fundraising event for campaign is a three-course meal at The Indian Plaza in Audenshaw on February 22. Tickets (£20 for adults and £10 for children) can get be purchased from the Festival Hall or The Indian Plaza.

Mafuz Mia at The Indian Plaza is no stranger to hosting fundraising events. 

He said: “I’m really proud to help this campaign for ‘Defibrillators for Denton’ -  they are vital and can really make a difference. 

“So come and enjoy a delicious meal here at the Indian Plaza, meet The Joker and Batman and raise funds for a great cause.”

Penny Brooks from Lifeline Community Ambulance reiterated the importance having a defibrillators, stating: “Early intervention after cardiac arrest is vital to help get the heart back into a normal rhythm. If you have a defib unit in your place of work its useful to know how they work, and training is available plus many units also talk you through the process when you operate them.”

The campaign is supported by Denton North East Councillors, Friends of Denton Festival Hall, Tony Moran at Denton Bowling, The Indian Plaza, Tameside Reporter, Tameside Radio and About Tameside.

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