A life-saving defibrillator bought through community fundraising was first used in an emergency with an Uddingston grandad last week.
Pensioner Jimmy McRobbie was experiencing tightness in his chest in the early hours of last Wednesday (May 12), and his daughter Julie called 999 fearing he may be suffering a heart attack.
The emergency operator directed Julie towards Viewpark Gardens Allotments – just two minutes away from Jimmy’s home – where a defibrillator had been installed three months ago.
The life-saving piece of equipment was used until paramedics arrived and medics later confirmed Jimmy was okay after being checked over.
However, his daughter Julie was given a real fright and publicly thanked members of Viewpark Allotments on their Facebook page later that day.
She wrote: “He suffers from angina and Parkinson’s and was experiencing tightness in his chest.
“Thank you for your wonderful work in installing this. He stays just next to the allotments so we had it in minutes. Could have been a matter of life and death.
“Thankfully it wasn’t serious. Thank you again.”
Julie’s post online was liked by almost 300 people and dozens of comments came flooding in wishing Jimmy and the family well.
Stephanie Johnston wrote: “Hope your dad’s okay. Send him my love, and you too, what a fright you must have had.”
Mary Lambrou added: “Wonderful to have such equipment, hope the person is feeling better.”
Joseph Budd commented: “Well done. It certainly can be the difference between survival and not.”
Susannah Mallin, secretary of Viewpark Gardens Allotments, told Lanarkshire Live how the defibrillator was installed three months ago, thanks to community fundraising efforts.
It cost £3000 and 15 members of Viewpark Allotments successfully completed training with the Scottish Ambulance Service to respond effectively in emergency situations with the defibrillator.
Susannah said: “It was thanks to donations from the public that we were able to buy the defibrillator.
“When we first had the defibrillator installed, we thought it was a great privilege just to have it here.
“But for it to be used for the first time last week, and having the potential to save someone’s life, we’re just absolutely delighted.”
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