Residents and visitors to the Coombe Valley area of Teignmouth now have access to a life-saving defibrillator by the parade of shops on Coombe Vale Road.

Funded by charity Teign Heartbeat, the defibrillator was officially opened by Teignmouth mayor councillor Cate Williams on Saturday (September 13).

Teign Heartbeat has now installed 17 defibrillators in Teignmouth and many more across Teignbridge.

The charity’s founder, Shirley Brokenshaw, is looking to add further defibrillators in residential areas. ‘This is a perfect site, it’s by a couple of shops – the salon and the pharmacy - so it’s easy to find, and it’s got lots of passing traffic and is near lots of houses,’ she commented.

Shirley was inspired to set up Teign Heartbeat after a gentleman passed away in the town centre shortly after she moved to Teignmouth 15 years ago.

After realising, a defibrillator may have saved his life, she decided to do her bit and raise the money needed to buy a defibrillator and cabinet.Teign Heartbeat also provides free defibrillator and CPR training.

Defibrillators can be used to restart someone’s heart if it has stopped beating. Community defibrillators are available 24 hours a day and are safe and easy to use. The vital lifesaving equipment is locked in a cabinet and a code to access the unit is provided by 999 call dispatchers when required.

‘Through Shirley’s own hard work and determination, the community has benefited from this life saving equipment being available and ready to use should it be needed,’ Cate said as she unveiled the new defibrillator.

‘One can only hope that the equipment is not ever required, but sadly we know that not to be case. However, with Teign Heartbeat here on our doorstep and their determination to raise awareness about heart disease as well as continuing attempts to bring yet more life-saving equipment into our town, this can only benefit us now and for future generations.’