Lifesaving equipment installed outside money.co.uk Castle in Cirencester

The Cirencester Open Air Pool are next door neighbours to the money.co.uk Castle, and the two organisations teamed together to get a community defibrillator installed to help keep swimmers and the general public safe.

The defibrillator was fitted at the top of Cecily Hill after Laura Maller, Pool Manager at the Open Air Pool, teamed up with next door neighbour Matt Ullmer, an employee of money.co.uk. In July last year, a usually fit and well Matt, 29, was cycling with friends when he suddenly felt very dizzy. Thinking nothing of it, he continued cycling but then quickly went into cardiac arrest.

Thankfully due to the quick reactions of his friends, a nearby doctor, and the quick response of a fire engine with a defibrillator on board, Matt was given the treatment he needed to survive.

What Matt didn't know at the time was that he was suffering from a heart condition called viral myocarditis. Matt has since been in and out of hospital, and has now been fitted with an internal device that restarts his heart if it detects an abnormal rhythm.

Matt said, "Quick access to a defibrillator is what saved my life last year. The more in the community the better."

Laura Maller said, "We're delighted to get this vital piece of equipment installed so close to the pool, and are very grateful to Cirencester Round Table who donated the money for it.

"Defibrillators can be critical in the event of a medical emergency and are an essential piece of lifesaving equipment. A defibrillator will give a high energy electric shock to the heart through the chest wall to someone in cardiac arrest." Adam Baggs, Chair of the Cirencester Round Table said, "We were only too pleased to make the donation for a community defibrillator. We hope it never needs to be used, but it's peace of mind knowing it's there for everyone to use in an emergency."

The defibrillator will remain unlocked, so any member of the public can use it. The equipment will automatically start speaking to anyone using it in the event of an emergency, and will only administer a shock if an abnormal heart rate is detected.

Cirencester Open Air Pool is a charity organisation and relies on the generous support of volunteers, donors and sponsors to keep it running. It's the oldest public swimming pool in continued use in the UK.

money.co.uk, recently voted as one of the best places to work in the UK, paid for the defibrillator to be installed and will pay the ongoing annual maintenance costs too.

The defibrillator can be found to the right of the entrance to Cirencester Park, on the wall at the back of the Castle, adjacent to the pool.

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