Marlow Canoe Club raises money for defibrillator at Hurley Lock

Marlow Canoe Club raises money for defibrillator at Hurley Lock
RESIDENTS have clubbed together to fundraise for a life-saving device in a popular water sports area near Marlow.

Marlow Canoe Club are working with the Environment Agency to raise money for a public access defibrillator at Hurley Lock.

The area on the River Thames is a busy spot for boats and pedestrians and runs alongside the Thames Path National Trail.

A defibrillator at Hurley Lock would also benefit water sports events at the nearby Hurley Weir, the training ground for the GB Freestyle Kayak Team.

HeartSafe.org, the nearest public defibrillator to Hurley is currently around three miles away in Marlow. 
A new government funding plan announced in December 2022 saw the creation of a £1 million fund to increase defibrillators in local communities.

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Steve Barclay, said at the time: "I've heard extraordinary stories of people being kept alive thanks to the swift use of a defibrillator in their community.

"We must make sure these life-saving devices are more accessible."

The London Hearts Charity, which will provide the defibrillator at Hurley Lock, says son their website that over 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur every year but less than one in ten people survive.

The site reads: "With the effective and speedy delivery of treatment, survival can be raised to 70 per cent, but this requires CPR and the use of a defibrillator."