A DEFIBRILLATOR has been installed by the River Dee in Chester, thanks to two local businesses, Sandy Lane Garage and ChesterBoat.

The defibrillator at Sandy Lane has been placed on the outside wall of Sandy Lane Garage, where it is easily accessible in an emergency to users of Sandy Lane Park just across the road.

With parking and toilet facilities, aqua park, slipway, and a seasonal ferry service, Sandy Lane Park is a hugely popular spot for Chester locals and visitors alike. During the summer months it is frequently busy with people taking to the water on kayaks, paddleboards, and motorboats, or spectating rowing and sailing events from the grassy riverbanks.

Dave and Jaqui Morris, directors of Sandy Lane Garage, were moved to provide the lifesaving equipment following the sad loss of a friend who died at Christmas after suffering a heart attack.

Jaqui said: “We hope that the garage’s contribution could help someone else in need. I recently took part in a defibrillator training morning with St John Ambulance, which was a reminder of the huge difference this equipment can make in an emergency.”

The new defibrillator installed at the Sandy Lane Garage in Chester.

The new defibrillator installed at the Sandy Lane Garage in Chester.

As the largest commercial operator on the River Dee, ChesterBoat directors Brian and Raquel Clarke were happy to support Dave and Jaqui’s initiative by contributing to the equipment.

Brian said: “The river is a huge asset to the city, and we want as many people as possible to be able to enjoy it as safely as possible.”

An AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is a safe and easy to use device that applies an electric shock to the heart and can be used by people with no medical training.

Earlier this year, another riverside defibrillator was installed outside Hickory’s Smokehouse on The Groves, donated by Chester Motorcycle Riders.

And last year, on the other side of the River Dee, a new defibrillator was installed by Queen's Park High School's Rowing Club. The donation was made possible by a significant grant from national charity, the Robert Allen Life Promotion and Healthy Hearts Trust (RALPHH), as well as a donation organised by Cheshire West and Chester councillors, Razia Daniels and Neil Sullivan, both of Handbridge Park Ward.