Project sees a new community defibrillator installed at Crudie
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A project to provide a community defibrillator for the Crudie area has been completed with the final installation of the unit at the school premisies.
The idea to provide a defibrillator at Crudie School came about after a discussion between local secondary school pupil Olivia Rees and her father which made her realise how far away they were from any safety equipment.
Olivia’s mum put up a post on local social media pages which then generated many comments and this led to a Gofundme campaign to raise the money for a defibrillator at Crudie.
The King Edward and Gamrie Community Council were keen to lend their support and put Olivia and her mother in touch with Keiran's Legacy - www.keiranslegacy.co.uk - who had previously helped to provide the defibrillator at King Edward Hall.
This organisation was set up by Keiran's parents following his tragic accident whilst mountain biking.
Keiran's Legacy have kindly donated the defibrillator and its housing, and the Community Council have donated towards the cost of the installation. Aberdeenshire Council agreed to its location on the wall of the school but required an independent constituted organisation to hold formal ownership which the Community Council have agreed to do.
Olivia continues her work, pledging to help raise awareness of Keiran’s Legacy and completed a Kiltwalk at the weekend to raise money for the charity.
Chairman of the King Edward and Gamrie Community Council Andy Sturdy said: “A huge vote of thanks is due to Olivia for getting this started and seen through to its conclusion, and thanks also to everyone else who has been involved in any way.”
Head teacher at Crudie Primary, Julia Rickard said: “Crudie is a rural community and this is a fantastic piece of life-saving equipment to have right at the heart of it.
"It is so wonderful that Kieran’s Legacy were able to fund the unit and we are delighted to have been able to provide the location for the equipment.
"Our thanks go to Olivia and her mum, the Community Council, and Aberdeenshire Council for the massive effort in making it all happen.”