Please learn how to save lives with Millie’s Dream

A CAMPAIGN has been launched in Henley to help reduce the risk of people dying from cardiac arrest.

Millie’s Dream will run small coaching sessions to show people how to use a defibrillator in case of an emergency.

The charity, which was launched by Sarah Roberts in 2013, has installed 91 of the lifesaving devices, 51 of which are publicly accessible, in a bid to make the town “heart safe”.

Ms Roberts, who named the charity after her daughter, who has a heart and lung condition, is concerned that not enough people know how to use a defibrillator.

She says that while the charity is raising money and installing devices people should know how to use and maintain them.

Ms Roberts, who lives in King’s Road, Henley, said: “We continue to be so well supported so our device numbers keep going up. We are just nine away from the golden 100, which I set out to reach soon after we started.

“But what has become quite apparent is people aren’t sure where their nearest defibrillator is and, if they are, they are not sure how to access it and are terrified of using it.

“It is fantastic that we have so many defibrillators but if people can’t don’t feel comfortable about using them then they are useless, so we are going to put our resources into education.”

Ms Roberts plans to organise for an expert to teach groups of about eight people at a time. She said: “We want to gather people in a relaxed and informal way rather than having a formal first aid course with big groups of people together in halls with all the organisation and costs.

“We thought about going into people’s homes and holding classes for six to eight people for a maximum of two hours.

“We will go through the causes of cardiac arrest as well as going through all the equipment, how to use it and check the electrodes and the battery.

“If you have a large group, people might be put off asking questions but that won’t be the case with a small group of friends or neighbours where you can have tea or coffee or a glass of wine.”

Ms Roberts, who is clinical director of the Active VIII physiotherapy centre in West Lane, Henley, hopes these classes will encourage groups to come together to look after the devices and make sure they are maintained.

Of the devices that her charity has installed so far, 54 are housed in community boxes, which makes them accessible to the public. Ms Roberts said: “I would like the community to start taking some ownership so that the defibrillators are maintained.

“I have a small team of wonderful volunteers but it is an incredibly difficult task to make sure that the devices are all working properly.

“There needs to be small groups coming together where someone every two to three months can check that the battery is still charged and the electrodes are still working.

“They can then contact me and the charity can arrange to replace any parts.”

The latest devices to be installed are at Stoke Row Stores and at the Swyncombe Cricket Club pavilion.

Ms Roberts says there are still “black holes” in terms of coverage and is hoping to install defibrillators near Marsh Lock and at the “top shops” in Greys Road, Henley.

She added: “If anyone can identify a suitable location, do get in touch.”

For more information, email Ms Roberts at sarah@active-viii.org

Donations can be made online to the Millie’s Dream community account with Barclays using the sort code: 20-39-53 and account number: 23727610.