Community effort sees defibrillator “parked” at the Bignold!

A potentially life-saving defibrillator has been installed within the Bignold Park in Kirkwall thanks to the efforts of a number of local football clubs and Scottish Sea Farms.

Kirkwall Wanderers, Rovers and Thorfinn, approached local salmon farmer Scottish Sea Farms for help in buying a defibrillator for the Bignold, which is not only used for matches and training, by the Orkney Agricultural Society for the County Show, and now more than ever by members of the public given the recent introduction of the Council-funded roadway.

Defibrillators give a high energy electric shock to the heart of someone who is in cardiac arrest but, according to the British Heart Foundation, a device needs to be found and deployed as quickly as possible.

Thanks to the local effort, the Bignold pavillion building is home to the new piece of kit. It’s registered with the Scottish Ambulance Service so when 999 is called the operator will be able to give the caller the code to open the box.

Kirkwall Wanderers coach Joe Coyle said: “Hopefully, we will never have to use the defibrillator, but it will give the three home clubs and away clubs peace of mind knowing that if something were to happen, then we have this to hand.

“We will also be encouraging all three senior clubs to make sure they have people who are trained in first aid and know how to use the device.

“We started discussing this after the Euro 2020 game, when Danish footballer Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch.

“And we have seen during Premier League matches how often play is stopped because a spectator needs medical support.”

He contacted Scottish Sea Farms who were willing to fund the defibrillator through a £3,000 grant from their Heart of the Community Fund.

“Thanks to Scottish Sea Farms and the initiative of the three clubs involved, we hope to make the ground safer for this generation of players and spectators, and for the generations to come,” he added.

Scottish Sea Farms has already installed defibrillators at farms and facilities across its estate, installing them outdoors wherever possible so that the local community can access them too.

Kirsty Brown, of Scottish Sea Farms, said: “Making this new device available to everyone who uses the Bignold Park, be they player, coach or supporter, builds on this effort to benefit as many people as we possibly can.”

OIC Leisure and Culture Service Manager, Garry Burton, added: “There are thousands of people in and out of the Bignold Park every year and the defibrillator is not just for them, if it is the nearest in an emergency , it is for the whole community – that’s why it is situated on the front of the pavilion building near the main entrance gate.

“We are assured that it is really easy to use and talks you through everything. Of course, we hope it is never required but it is reassuring to know it is there and could potentially save someone’s life.

“This is another successful example of a community working together for the benefit of all.”