ScotRail staff in Inverclyde and Renfrew have donated two lifesaving defibrillators to schools in Gourock, following an annual staff charity event which raised more than £2,000.
Organised by ScotRail station staff member, Angela McEwan, the annual pre-Christmas fundraiser saw ScotRail staff and friends come together for a night of music and entertainment, with money raised from event ticket sales and raffle prizes donated from local businesses.
The annual event, which is now in its third year, raised the highest amount ever with £2,000 received, and a further £200 in donations from band members, who not only provided free entertainment on the night, but also purchased their own tickets.
As a result, Gourock Primary, and nearby St Ninian’s Primary, have received the life-saving defibrillators as Christmas gifts from ScotRail staff.
The £200 donation will be made to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, along with Christmas selection packs for the children in the wards.
Defibrillators can be used without any specialist training and are vital to treating cardiac arrest. More than 30 life-saving defibrillators have been installed at ScotRail stations across Scotland since 2018.
This is the third year ScotRail staff have held a fundraising event. Previous Christmas gifts to the local community include the purchase of a hoist for stoke victims at Larkfield Day Hospital in Greenock.
Angela McEwan, ScotRail station staff at Greenock Central, said:
“Without the dedicated support from local ScotRail staff, family, and friends, we wouldn’t be able to give these gifts at Christmas each year to our local communities.
“We’re amazed at how much we’ve raised and proud to be able to offer two defibrillators to Primary Schools in the Gourock area.”
Siobhan Currie, Headteacher at St Ninian’s Primary School, said:
“It’s a wonderful piece of equipment to have, not just for our school but for the wider school community.
“Potentially, it could save someone’s life, so we feel very fortunate to have this life-saving equipment in the school.”
Christine Murray, Headteacher at Gourock Primary School, said:
“We’re absolutely delighted to receive our defibrillator and it’s really comforting to have something like that within our school. It could possibly save a life in the future, so we’re really pleased.
“We’re very grateful to Angela at ScotRail and all the team who raised funds for this equipment. It was very kind of them, and we’d like to say thank you.”