If you have crossed the Clifton Suspension Bridge recently you may have noticed a new addition to the Visitor Centre on the Leigh Woods side: a bright green box which houses a defibrillator. The lifesaving equipment can be accessed by any member of the public, providing emergency assistance to someone suffering a cardiac arrest.
The installation is the latest in a series of public defibrillators placed in Bristol and the surrounding areas, thanks to the efforts of Elspeth Benden. Elspeth has dedicated her time to funding this project after she tragically lost her son Andrew to Sudden Adult Death Syndrome in 2014. Her determination to improve the provision of defibrillators in the community is a wonderfully positive way to respond and help others.
Supporting the community has always been at the heart of law firm, Neath Raisbeck Golding, who jointly funded the project alongside the Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust. Neath Raisbeck Golding Law’s managing partner, Vicki Neath, expands on this:
“When I heard about Elspeth’s appeal to raise funds to place a defibrillator at the Suspension Bridge, all of us here at Neath Raisbeck Golding Law wanted to support her project. Her positivity is inspirational and it is fantastic to see such a significant contribution to the local community. We also recognised the need to have a defibrillator in a place which is a visitor hotspot for Bristol and so we were pleased we could help support this.”
The defibrillator will be officially unveiled on Tuesday 10th December. Bridge Master of the Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust, Trish Johnson, said:
“Use of an easy-access defibrillator by bystanders can double the chance of a person’s survival whilst waiting for an ambulance to arrive. Simply by dialling 999, anyone can access the equipment and follow the step-by-step instructions required for its use. Elspeth’s tireless efforts have helped us to install a defibrillator at the Suspension Bridge where it will be available to support both our visitors and those living in nearby communities.”
Elspeth has already funded several defibrillators installed across Bristol and Westbury-on-Trym and continues to raise funds to supply more. Elspeth comments, “If we save just one life as a result of these defibrillators, it will be a fitting tribute to Andrew.”