A DEFIBRILLATOR campaign which was launched five years ago has already saved five lives.

The appeal was originally set up to raise £1600 to install one defibrillator outside Morrisons in Guiseley after the death of a customer in the car park.

But the response has been so strong that it has now provided 113 throughout Aireborough and Wharfedale and in other parts of the UK. Still more are to be ordered as part of the Global CPAD (Community Public Access Defibrillators) Campaign.

While the majority have been installed in the Aireborough Wharfedale area, the scheme now stretches around Yorkshire and Northumberland, Wales, Lancashire, and Scotland.

Its founder Brian Firth said the project had been so successful that it had also inspired the launch of other defibrillator campaigns.

He said: “Over and above that Morrisons Supermarkets who have supported the scheme since its launch, have recently acquired defibrillators for almost every one of their stores.”

People whose lives have been saved by the campaign include Otley and Yeadon councillor Ryk Downes who himself went on to raise funds for another three CPADs.

Local groups and residents have come forward to help with funding, and “defibrillator guardians” regularly check the equipment in their communities.

Mr Firth said: “It is a proven fact that if a person goes into cardiac arrest their chances of survival are substantially increased when a defibrillator is readily available, the first three to five minutes being crucial. When someone rings the emergency service to report someone in cardiac arrest the operator will guide them to any defibrillator that is close by, giving them the code to access the cabinet. The operator or the defibrillator itself will then talk them through the procedure, no prior training being required.”

He added:”I am pleased to say that the campaign has exceeded all expectations, catching the imagination of people from all walks of life who appreciate the importance of public access defibrillators. A number of people have even raised funds in memory of lost family members, dedicating the defibrillator to them. A prime example of this is Helen Pickford from Yeadon who lost her husband last year. Helen, along with family and friends, went on to raise enough funds for three additional CPAD in the Aireborough area. “

He added: “One of our most interesting coups was the support from the family and friends of Harry Corbett OBE who funded a CPAD that was placed outside the Guiseley Theatre in his memory.”

Anyone interested in setting up a defibrillator scheme can contact Brian Firth on 07909660375.