VIP welcome for Powys holiday park’s medical lifeline

A whole-hearted fundraising effort by family-owned Garth Holiday Park in Machynlleth, Powys, has seen the installation of a life-saving defibrillator in its grounds.

And this autumn, a special ceremony to mark the equipment’s arrival was attended by Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies and other local dignitaries.

The park, on which over 110 holiday homes are located, says the defibrillator could provide an invaluable lifeline by saving vital minutes of delay in a medical emergency.

Helping the spearhead the year-long £2,000 fundraising programme was member of the park owning family Edward Rhodes, and holiday home owner Margaret Fuller.

A former nursing professional, Margaret originally suggested that placing a defibrillator on the park could benefit both holidaymakers and the local community.

Since then, a raft of different initiatives at Garth Holiday Park have contributed to swelling funds for the equipment, including barbecues, raffles, social get-togethers and competitions.

Also bolstering the defibrillator appeal was a donation from the Machynlleth Rotary Club.

Speaking at the installation ceremony, Glyn Davies MP praised the successful efforts of the park and everyone concerned in making this important medical safeguard a reality.

Also in attendance were Machynlleth’s mayor Cllr Anthony Jones, Cllr Michael Williams, president of Machynlleth Rotary Club Roger Seagrave, and other members of the Rhodes family.

Montgomeryshire AM Russell George congratulated the park, and said the equipment would offer a significant reassurance to anyone in need of emergency care.

Edward Rhodes said it was fantastic that such a positive outcome had resulted from the coming together of everyone in and around the park community:

“Sudden Cardiac Arrest is the number one killer at home in Britain, and a close-at-hand defibrillator on the park could dramatically increase a person’s survival chances,” he said.

“The equipment is, of course, something which you hope will never be needed – but we are mindful of its life-saving potential especially in more remote rural areas such as this.

“Overall, it was a great collective effort and we are very grateful to everyone who helped us raise this sum in such a relatively short time,” added Edward.

Training in the use of the defibrillator, assisted by Margaret Fuller, will be given to park staff and to others in the community who wish to become volunteers.

Located on a country estate with views across Snowdonia National Park, Garth Holiday Park is a holder of the David Bellamy Conservation Award at its top gold level.

It provides luxury caravan holiday homes and lodges for sale, and is located just outside the ancient market town of Machynlleth. There is more information at www.garthholidaypark.co.uk