A COMMUNITY call for a defibrillator in Bemerton Heath has been answered – in less than two months.

The device, used to treat people experiencing a cardiac incident, has been installed at Bemerton Heath Centre, in Pinewood Way.

Spencer Mulholland, a resident and volunteer, and Cllr Caroline Corbin approached Salisbury City Council’s community development team in December 2024 with the idea of bringing this vital resource to The Heath.

The head of community services and the council’s facilities team swung into action, and in less than two months, the Mindray BeneHeart C1A Defibrillator has been installed and is ready for use.

It was installed for free by D&N Maintenance, while 50% of the cost of the device was donated by an anonymous resident.

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The device is accessible to anyone facing the prospect of a friend or loved one having a cardiac event, and can be accessed following the instructions on the front of the locked defibrillator cabinet. It also speaks instructions for use, meaning anyone can use it.

Carolyn Port, owner and director of Winterbury Training, will be offering defibrillator information sessions at the Bemerton Heath Centre on Friday (February 14) at 3.30pm and on Tuesday, February 18, at 6pm.

“We have been offering free training on how to use a defibrillator and do CPR following all of the defibrillators going in around the county,” she said.

“It’s brilliant that we’ve got extra resources and lots of people willing to be trained to save lives.”

Volunteer Spencer added: “I’m coordinating the grant, and we were lucky to be donated half the cost of this defibrillator by a very generous member of the public, who I wish to thank sincerely. That donation will ultimately save lives.

“I would also like to thank everyone else that’s taken part in this exercise. David Jacobs and his team, Carolyn Port, who’s providing training in lifesaving skills and everyone associated with the council.”

Cllr Corbin, chair for the Community Services Committee and councillor for Bemerton Heath, said: “A community defibrillator is an asset to any community and with or without training are fairly easy to use. We have been fortunate in Salisbury that Spencer Mulholland has been a spearhead for this project and asked me where in Bemerton Heath could be good sites.

“I suggested our own building as with community groups etc it’s important to be able to access lifesaving equipment at the time of need, without having to hunt around for the nearest device.

“Great thanks to Spencer who initiated the project, D&N Maintenance who installed the device and Winterbury Training who will deliver free training for those wishing to uptake it. Community empowerment and team work at its finest.”

And Sarah Gregson, head of community services at the council, said: “The Bemerton Heath Centre is a real hub for the community, lots of groups of all ages come here on a regular basis, so this is somewhere people are familiar with and they’re going to know where this defibrillator is.

“We also have a great relationship with all the young people who walk to and from school, so it’s just a real key point. Everybody’s going to know where they can get hold of this vital support if they need it.”

Spencer is now working on his next defibrillator project. Anyone who can help with a location or fundraising should contact mulhollandspencer@gmail.com.