Member Article

Watercress Line’s Medstead station receives ‘lifesaving’ donation from Barratt Homes

The Watercress Line’s Medstead and Four Marks Station now has a defibrillator on site, thanks to Hampshire housebuilder, Barratt Homes.

The leading developer, which is building homes across the county, has donated the lifesaving equipment to the station to help anyone in the area who might suffer from an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

The well-known heritage train line in Hampshire runs along a 10-mile route from New Alresford to Alton, and the Medstead and Four Marks Station is close to the highest point on the railway. Station Master, Keith Brown, said the installation of the new resuscitative machine will be welcome news to local people.

He said: “With many of our railway line’s users and volunteers aged over 60, having this invaluable, lifesaving facility on site will be a great comfort. A huge thank you to Barratt Homes from all of us here.”

Barratt Homes is committed to looking after organisations who need it in the community, and Tammy Bishop, Barratt Homes Sales Director, said it’s a pleasure to be able to make this crucial donation.

She said: “Every second counts when someone has a cardiac arrest, and installing a defibrillator here could just save a life. I’m pleased we have been able help.”

According to the British Heart Foundation, there are more than 30,000 out of hospital cardiac arrests every year in the UK, but fewer than one in ten people survive. Every minute that passes without CPR or defibrillation reduces the chances of survival by up to 10 per cent in some instances, but immediate CPR and defibrillation can more than double the chances of survival.

Barratt’s donated defibrillator is now all set up at the heritage Hampshire station and is ready to use should someone need it.

Medstead and Four Marks Station is situated along the Watercress Line. Visitors come from far and wide to experience journeying along the heritage railway by steam train.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Barratt Homes .