MUSICIAN CHRIS’S LIFESAVING LEGACY
New defibrillator at music venue
A LIFESAVING device has been installed at a town arts venue in memory of a musician who was also an ex-sentinel journalist.
The defibrillator outside music venue The Maude in Clerks Bank, Leek, has been placedthere in tribute to Chris Ellis after a fundraising campaign by friends and family.
Leek-born Chris was a member of bands Hunter and Demon and worked as a journalist at both The Sentinel and BBC Radio Stoke.
He passed away in Australia earlier this year.
Now Chris’s two sons, James, who lives in Australia, and Richard, from Leek, have commemorated their father by installing the automatic
external defibrillator (AED).
Richard said: “I had seen that there has been a real drive to make Leek a safer place with the installation of many new AEDS across the town recently.
“The rebirth of The Maude as a music venue, rehearsal space and recording studio fitted the bill perfectly as a site for dad’s memorial.
“He would have loved the fact that the Maude is helping to keep the Leek music scene alive and bring on the next generation of bands, musicians, and producers.
“We are grateful to our good friends Paul Yarrow, who operates The Maude, and Dave Swarbrook, who has helped with the fundraising.”
The defibrillator was supplied and installed by charity
Aeddonate who manage the fundraising campaigns for AEDS. They then look after the installation, registration with the ambulance service, and regular maintenance.
Jamie Richards, CEO of Aeddonate said: “In the UK, more than 30,000 outof-hospital cardiac arrests are treated by emergency medical services every year. Approximately one in 10 people will survive this event.
“The survival rate decreases minute by minute after sudden cardiac arrest. If a defibrillator is applied within three minutes, there is a 70 per cent chance of survival.
“Defibrillators are extremely easy to use, and they provide step-by-step instructions in either verbal or visual form.
“They can be operated by anyone, with no prior training required.”
To find out more about fundraising for a defibrillator through Aeddonate email: info@aeddonate.org.uk or call 01785 472 224 or visit: https:// www.aeddonate.org.uk