Groby Allotment Society have recently installed a public access defibrillator close to their allotment site in Groby village.

The idea to install this vital piece of equipment came about following an AGM meeting when members of the society voted unanimously to obtain a defibrillator which will also serve the church members and the surrounding community should it be needed in case of an emergency. The Allotment Society received a grant to help purchase the automated external defibrillator (AED) from the Thomas Herbert Smith's Trust Fund local charity and the external cabinet which will keep the defibrillator safe was donated by the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust (JHMT).

The public access defibrillator (PAD) is located on the side wall of the United Reform Church to ensure it's accessible to the local community 24/7. The defibrillator has also been registered with EMAS. Once registered, all AEDs are included on the Circuit. The Circuit is the national defibrillator network which connects defibrillators to NHS ambulance services across the UK so that in those crucial moments after a cardiac arrest, they can be accessed quickly to help save lives.

Carol Lincoln, secretary, Groby Allotment Society said: " We sincerely hope that we never have to use it but we are so pleased to have this incredible life saving device readily available for not only all our members but also for the church members and the surrounding community. Nothing can be more important than saving a life and none of us know when we may need this important addition to our local area. We are truly grateful to JHMT for all their support in helping us achieve our goal!

Plans are underway so all members of the allotment society undergo key CPR and AED familiarisation training led by JHMT.

The Ratby Road site has been in use as allotments since 1925 and will soon be coming up to its centenary. The Groby Allotment Society, a devolved management group, rents the land from the parish council and has been going since 2007. When the site started in 1925 there were only 41 plots, some up to 600 sq yds in area but today we have 155 plots on site, on average about 100sqm in area, so plots are about a fifth in size.

Regular fundraising by members takes place to improve the facilities which resulted in several raised bed plots, some of which are for wheelchair users and a compost toilet. The main fund raising comes from a monthly social 'Open Shed Sunday with refreshments & stalls and from various competitions throughout the year - best Easter Hat, tallest Sunflower, biggest pumpkin, etc and a visit from Santa in December. To find out more about the Groby Allotment Society go to: https://sites.google.com/site/grobyallotmentsociety/

Charles Poole from JHMT, said: This is a great community initiative spearheaded by the Allotment Society. A cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. When it strikes, immediate CPR and early use of a Defibrillator greatly increase the chances of survival – from less than 10% to 50% or more. For every minute without CPR, the chances of survival decrease by 10% and use of a Defibrillator as quickly as possible is the way to restart the heart. This Public Access Defibrillator, available to all 24/7, provides cover for not only the Allotment users and the neighbouring church, but also nearby residents and gives that potential life-saving ability to hosts of families, friends, neighbours and visitors to the area.'

As well as providing free CPR and defibrillator training, the JHMT works hard to raise awareness of sudden heart deaths, helps to provide public access defibrillators and runs Inspire, a local grants scheme for inspirational young people, 13 – 21 years of age.

The Leicestershire charity was set up after the tragic death of Rothley teenager Joe Humphries in 2012, who died from sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS) while out on a run.

To find out more about the work of the Trust, apply for training and support, or to help out with the charity's work, visit the website at www.jhmt.org.uk