Life-saving equipment has been installed in Ryton, thanks to a donation from Story Homes to the Friends of Ferndene Park group and support from Northumbria Police.
The award-winning housebuilder has made the financial contribution as part of its ‘Future Story’ scheme, which aims to help charities and community organisations that surround its developments – in this case, Fairfields Manor, a development of 169 family homes in Crawcrook.
The Friends of Ferndene Park – a group of local volunteers who maintain the park – applied for support from Story Homes for the purchase of the defibrillator. The North East Hearts with Goals charity also made a contribution and Northumbria Police’s PC Andy Hyde facilitated the installation of the portable machine.
The defibrillator, which delivers an electric shock to the heart in the case of a cardiac arrest, is simple to use and has been designed so that it can be used without any prior training. It is located on the wall of the building next to the children’s playground, opposite Ferndene Park’s bowling green.
Maggie Milburn, one of the Friends of Ferndene Park, commented: “We are pleased that we now have this equipment for local residents and we are very grateful to Story Homes and Northumbria Police for their generosity. This is a vital resource for the community and, while we hope we will not have to use it, it could save lives in the future. I would also like to thank PC Hyde for his hard work in ensuring the defibrillator was installed as quickly as possible. We appreciate all the support he provides to Ryton.”
Ian Worgan, Managing Director for Story Homes in the North East, commented: “We try to help the communities around our housing developments in ways that add long-term value. A defibrillator clearly aligns with this aim and could help save the life of someone who suffers a cardiac arrest. We are pleased to have been able to provide this equipment to the Friends of Ferndene Park for the benefit of everyone in Ryton.”
Story Homes’ Fairfields Manor development, which is based off the A695, includes three, four and five-bedroom homes that are built to a high specification. The marketing suite and two show homes are now open and the first residents are due to move in shortly.
The developer is now inviting charities and community groups to apply for support in its next quarter. Applications for sponsorship should be made by completing the form atstoryhomes.co.uk/sustainable-