An automated external defibrillator (AED) is to be installed at an iconic building and music venue as a memorial to Leek born musician Chris Ellis (pictured) who passed away earlier this year in Australia.
Chris’s two sons, James, who also lives in Australia and Leek based Richard decided that a great way to commemorate their father would be to install a defibrillator at a local music venue. Chris Ellis will be remembered by many both as a band member of local legends Hunter and Demon and as a journalist at the Sentinel and BBC Radio Stoke.
Generous donations from family friends and members of the community, have now paid for the defibrillator which will be installed outside the Maude on Clerks Bank in Leek.
Richard Ellis said: “I had seen that there has been a real drive to make Leek a safer place with the installation of many new AEDs across town recently.
“The rebirth of The Maude as a music venue, rehearsal space and recording studio fitted the bill perfectly as a site for Dad’s memorial. He would have loved the fact that the Maude is helping to keep the Leek music scene alive and bring on the next generation of bands, musicians, and producers.
“We are grateful to our good friends Paul Yarrow, who operates The Maude and Dave Swarbrook, who has helped with the fundraising.”
The defibrillator was supplied and installed by charity AEDdonate who manage the fundraising campaign for an automated external defibrillator (AED). They then look after the installation, registration with the ambulance service, and regular maintenance of the defibrillator.
Jamie Richards, CEO of AEDdonate said: “In the UK, over 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests are treated by emergency medical services every year. Approximately one in 10 people will survive this event. The survival rate decreases minute by minute after sudden cardiac arrest, if a defibrillator is applied within three minutes, there is a 70 percent chance of survival. To improve this, defibrillators must be easily accessible throughout the country.
“Defibrillators are extremely easy to use, and they provide step-by-step instructions in either verbal or visual form. They can be operated by anyone, with no prior training required.”
To find out more about fundraising for a defibrillator through AEDdonate email: info@aeddonate.org.uk call 01785 472224 or visit: https://www.aeddonate.org.uk
Photos: Dave Swarbrook, Richard Ellis, Isabella Ellis, James Ellis and Paul Yarrow (photo: Mark Brammar) and Chris Ellis