Praise for lifesaving volunteers from Seaton Sluice in Parliament

Today (12th June), Emma Foody, MP for Cramlington and Killingworth, spoke in the House of Commons to praise the work of a local charity.

Seaton Sluice Public Defibrillator Support Group is a team of volunteers who have worked hard to make their village “Heart Safe” by installing defibrillators. Ms Foody met the group earlier this year, and today she raised their lifesaving work in Parliament to thank them and call for more support for groups like theirs.

The group has raised money for 16 defibrillators in the village, and they also teach people how to use them in an emergency. Seaton Sluice Defibrillator Group is run by local volunteers who want to save lives.

They have made sure that people across Seaton Sluice have access to defibrillators, which are machines that help restart the heart during a cardiac arrest. As well as looking after the machines, the group runs free training sessions. These sessions teach people how to do CPR and how to use a defibrillator. The training has been given to local schools, businesses and community groups, and has helped hundreds of people.

In Parliament, Emma Foody MP said:

“Recently I had the privilege of meeting up with Seaton Sluice Defibrillator Group, an amazing group of volunteers who have managed to secure funding for 16 defibrillators in the village, and also provide training and servicing for them. So can we have a debate on how we can support groups such as Seaton Sluice Defibrillator Group. Will the Leader of the House join me in congratulating and thanking all of the volunteers who support them in this effort.”

In response, the Leader of the House, Lucy Powell MP, said:

“Well, I join her in thanking all the volunteers in her constituency for getting all these defibrillators in her constituency, because they can absolutely save lives, and it’s really important we get them into as many communities as possible. And we are committed to improving access to them”.

Speaking after the debate, Emma Foody MP said:“I want to say a huge thank you to the Seaton Sluice Defibrillator Group. The volunteers have done something truly amazing. Their hard work can help to save lives, and they are helping others learn what to do in an emergency. I will keep pushing for more support for community groups like this, because everyone should have the chance to be Heart Safe.”