A LIFE-SAVING Malvern charity has been given a £11,572 boost from the Co-op’s Local Community Fund.
The amount – received by Heartstart Malvern – is the largest single donation received by the fund and it will enable the organisation to continue its training free of charge to the local community and schools.
The cash will be used to buy new training equipment and to replace some of the old items.
It will also enable the charity to increase the number of training manikins and defibrillators it has.
Richard Vakis-Lowe, Heartstart Malvern Chairman, said: “I am absolutely overwhelmed by this incredible donation from the Co-op, and would like to thank all of the Local Co-op members and staff of the local stores for supporting us over the last 12 months.”
He added it was only a small local charity and a donation of that size would go a long way.
“We have been unable to deliver any training over the last 18 months due to Covid.
“Having more manikins means that we will now be able to restart our training in a Covid safe way.
“The extra equipment will also benefit local schools where we need enough equipment to train whole class groups in one training session.”
Every time Co-op members buy selected branded products and services, the supermarket makes a donation to one of the local causes it supports.
A Co-op spokesperson said: “All three of our Malvern stores have been delighted to support both Heartstart Malvern and the Malvern Dementia Centre through the Co-op’s Local Community Fund over the last 12 months.
“These are two local organisations doing and incredible amount of good work in the Malvern which we are proud to support.”
He urged anyone who shops at the store to become a community fund member – which is free to do.
Heartstart Malvern is now encouraging anyone who has never learnt cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or how to use a defibrillator to sign up to one of its free 90 minute training. The skills are very simple to learn and could help save a life.
Visit heartstartmalvern.org.uk or call 07926 615812 for more on the courses.
