A LIFE-SAVING defibrillator has been installed at St Mary’s Garden Village in Ross-On-Wye.

It’s currently located outside the Bluebell Homes sales centre in a locked cabinet and can be accessed using a code obtained by calling 999.

The defibrillator has been provided by the Edenstone Group, which includes Bluebell Homes and Edenstone Homes.

It’s the second defibrillator Edenstone has installed in the town, having previously arranged for one to be fitted outside Ross-On-Wye Sports Centre on Wilton Road.

Defibrillators deliver a high energy electric shock to the heart of someone who is in cardiac arrest. It’s an essential part in trying to save the life of someone who’s in cardiac arrest and needs to be found as quickly as possible. For every minute it takes for the defibrillator to reach someone and deliver a shock, their chances of survival lower.

Edenstone operations director Chris Edge explained: “St Mary’s Garden Village has grown rapidly since we released the first homes for sale in 2019. We’ve welcomed dozens of residents and as a responsible homebuilder we want to help ensure the new community has access to these life saving devices near to their homes. A defibrillator is a potentially life-saving piece of kit, which can be crucial in the event of an emergency. The device gives instructions, checks the heart rhythm of the casualty and will advise if a shock is needed. It’s an amazing piece of kit, with the potential to save lives. While we hope it never has to be used, we were keen to provide one for the new neighbourhood. It’s current home is outside the Bluebell Homes sales office on Starling Road but ultimately it will be moved to the community centre currently under construction on the same road.”

Many of the neighbourhood facilities at St Mary’s Garden Village re already in place and being enjoyed including play areas and allotments. Alongside homes, there will also be walking and fitness trails with equipment; a gym within a community hub; a kick about area and cycle hire facilities.

Edenstone has provided a further four defibrillators in areas where it builds including two in Gloucestershire: one in Lisvane near Cardiff and one in Morriston, near Swansea. Additionally, funding has been provided to enable communities to source defibrillators in other areas.

For more information about the homes at St Mary’s Garden Village see https://www.bluebellhomes.co.uk/stmarys or https://edenstonehomes.com/st-marys-garden-village.

Caption: St Mary’s Garden Village in Ross on Wye is just one of the locations where the Edenstone Group has provided a defibrillator. Sales consultant Julie Maggs is pictured with project manager Paul Drummond