Tag: St John Scotland

Scottish Parliament team up with St John Scotland to install new Public Access Defibrillator at Holyrood

The Scottish Parliament has installed a new Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) outside the public entrance to the Parliament building.

The installation is a collaboration between The Scottish Parliament and St John Scotland.

Every year, over 3000 people in Scotland suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, an event which is fatal unless CPR and defibrillation are started by bystanders within minutes.  

The installation provides 24 /7 access for the public 365 days a year to the PAD.

The Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament said: “We’re pleased to partner with St John Scotland to give the public access to a defibrillator outside the Parliament building.

“Evidence shows the chances of survival from an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest can be increased two-to-threefold by the immediate provision of bystander CPR and defibrillation so this is a very positive step which can help save lives.”

Barri Millar, Chief Operating Officer, St John Scotland said: “St John Scotland is proud to support the Scottish Parliament with a new Public Access Defibrillator. We are committed to strengthening community resilience across Scotland and ensuring lifesaving equipment is accessible in every community.

“Together with our ‘Save a Life for Scotland’ partners, we continue to expand CPR awareness and increase access to defibrillators — helping save lives across the country.”

Cruden donates £2,500 to St John Scotland

Five-star homebuilder Cruden has donated £2,500 to St John Scotland through its charitable arm, the Cruden Foundation, supporting the charity’s vital work in providing Public Access Defibrillators, CPR awareness, and patient transport services across the country.

The charity’s work helps ensure people throughout Scotland have access to life-saving equipment and support when it matters most.

Cruden’s donation will help the organisation continue expanding access to defibrillators and CPR within local communities, equipping more people with the skills and confidence needed to act in an emergency.

Fraser Lynes, CEO of Cruden, said: “This is a cause close to all of our hearts. Earlier this year, one of our assistant site managers was very thankfully saved by the use of an on-site defibrillator when suffering from cardiac arrest.

“It highlighted the importance of having lifesaving defibrillators and trained CPR providers on sites, making all the difference in an emergency.

“Supporting St John Scotland allows us to give back to the communities we build in and help ensure others have the same chance of receiving timely, life-saving support.”

Barri Millar, Chief Operating Officer of St John Scotland, said: “We are very grateful for Cruden’s generous donation. The services we provide to install and support community defibrillators across the country offer vital equipment that, in an emergency, can truly mean the difference between life and death.

“Cruden’s contribution will help us expand this essential work even further, ensuring more people have access to life-saving equipment and the confidence to use it. We are truly thankful for their support.”

The Cruden Foundation is a private charitable funder established in 1957 and is part of Cruden’s wider commitment to supporting the communities where it lives and works. To date, the Cruden Foundation has donated more than £8 million and supports over 150 charities each year, helping organisations make a meaningful difference to people’s lives throughout the country.