News

Lostwithiel’s PCSO Natalie Merrikin (née Phillips), who played a key role in getting life-saving defibrillators installed in the Lostwithiel and Fowey area, has been recognised for her good work.

Natalie, who is currently on maternity leave with her four-month-old son, recently received a special recognition award for her work from the Ronnie Richards Memorial Charity at a presentation in Penzance.

Natalie said: “It started when a man collapsed in St Blazey. Comms said that I should find the nearest defibrillator, but there wasn’t one in the area and he died. I don’t know whether it would have saved his life but at least I could have tried.  I made it my mission to get AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) installed in my area. I did some research on the internet and came across the Ronnie Richards charity which supplies this equipment.They gave me lots of support and I managed to get funding from a variety of sources including Lostwithiel Rotary Club, the Lostwithiel Mayor’s charity and parish  councils.”

 There are now three AEDs in Lostwithiel, one at Fowey Community College and also in the villages of Luxulyan and Lanivery.

Natalie is pictured with her certificate and Inspector Ed Gard from St Austell Police.

The three AEDs in Lostwithiel are located at Lostwithiel Community Centre, Lostwithiel Co-Op and The Earl of Chatham public house in Grenville Road.

 Instructions for using an AED  available via this link