GRIBUN is one of the remotest parts of Mull but it now has a new defibrillator installed inside the former BT phone box thanks to Jacqui Farquhar. Originally from Ballymeanach, Jacqui was prompted by news in 2016 of another new defibrillator installation in Salen to contact Mull and Iona Community Trust (MICT) and ask for support for a defibrillator near to her childhood home – when she was then Jacqui MacFadyen. MICT already works in partnership with the Scottish Ambulance Service to manage the inspection and maintenance of 14 public access defibrillators across Mull and Iona. MICT has established a new partnership with the Community Heartbeat Trust which, in turn, has an arrangement with BT for the adoption of decommissioned phone boxes to host defibrillators.
Moray Finch, general manager of Mull and Iona Community Trust, said: ‘We’re really grateful for the generous donation from Jacqui that means we’ve been able to add a 15th defibrillator to the network on the islands. The defibrillator will be cared for by local volunteers.’