Defibrillator installed in Burnbank following community fundraising

Shop owners Bernie and Sheena Innes, Lorraine Maxwell of Udston social club and fundraiser Ian Milligan with Burnbank's new public defibrillator
-Credit: (Image: Stuart Vance/Hamilton Advertiser)


Big-hearted members of the Burnbank community have dug deep to raise funds for lifesaving defibrillator equipment for their area.

A new device for public emergency use is now in place outside the area’s What Everyone Wants shop on Purdie Street – and the locals’ fundraising has been so successful that as many as three more defibrillators are now due to be installed in the area over the coming months.

The fundraising effort was the idea of local resident Ian Milligan, who suggested the idea and enlisted the help of shopkeeper Bernie Innes plus local traders and community groups to help reach the required total.

Business owner Ian said: “My wife, Jacqueline, and I looked around and saw that there are lots of defibrillators in public places across North and South Lanarkshire now, but we saw none in the vicinity of Burnbank and Udston.

“I’ve known Bernie for years as I’m a regular customer in the shop and spoke to him about having a collection tin there; the majority of the funds came from there and we also had collections and donations from several other local shops, businesses and community organisations like the credit union and social club.

“The defibrillator cost £1000 and that was raised in three months; we’ve actually collected enough money for a second one, and we’ve also been told that Gilmour & Whitehill church has been able to apply for local funding for another two.”

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Burnbank’s first new defibrillator is now in place outside Bernie’s store in the heart of the community, just steps away from both Udston social club and St Cuthbert’s Primary.

It also has a poignant plaque in place beside it, reading: “From the community, for the community – this may just save your life.”

Now Ian and the community plan to install more of the lifesaving machines around the area, with suggested locations including the nearby Empire Bar, Farm Road shops and High Blantyre Road takeaway Brunchbox.

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Volunteers including local traders and church members will also be attending a special first aid training session to learn more about using the defibrillator in an emergency.

Ian said: “We’re proud to see it in place in Burnbank; the community has really come together and all the contributions really added up.”

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