THE Tullibody community came together last week to see the installation of life-saving equipment at Tron Court.

A public-access automated external defibrillator was placed in a cabinet that went up on the walls of J Hutchison & Sons butchers on Saturday, February 9.

Once fully registered, it will be available to members of the public in cardiac arrest emergencies by calling 999.

Installing the heated and locked cabinet with the device was a real community effort with charitable local man Gary Drummond providing the defibrillator.

The cabinet was kindly sponsored by Alloa Round Table while James Hutchison, owner of the local butchers, was happy to host it at the shop.

While it is hoped that the device will never be used, it is available round-the-clock should someone nearby collapse and stop breathing.

Local butcher James was particularly happy to host it as Scottish Federation of Meat Traders Association has been encouraging its members to secure life-saving defibrillators.

He told the Advertiser: “It’s a massive thing for the community.

“We know there’s one up at Lornshill; we know there’s one in the nursery, but the nursery closes at 5 o’clock, so it’s here for everybody to use after that.”

He added: “I think we are all hoping it’s never having to be used, but it’s a peace of mind for the people of Tullibody.”

Kal Murray, chairman at Alloa Round Table, was happy for his organisation to back the drive by purchasing a brand-new heated and locked cabinet.

The weatherproof steel box protects the defibrillator from the elements, keeps the battery at operational temperature, while still providing a way of access no matter what time of day it is.

For the Round Table, it was a matter of supporting the local community and a “worthy cause”, but installing the device was also a tribute to the much-missed late Donald Drysdale.

A charitable community champion and a stalwart of Tron Court where the device now is, Donald was an avid Rotarian with close links between the two clubs that both work for the benefit of the Wee County.

Kal said: “He was involved in the community and was a prominent business figure in Tron Court and in Tullibody.

“He gave a lot of his time to the Rotary Club – for decades he was involved in charity work within Clackmannanshire.”

The device is also within a quarter of a mile of the upcoming Alloa Half Marathon, which is now less than two months away, and is the next big fundraising event for the Round Table.

Thanks go to all involved with hats off to Stan Mital for the installation.