A pub in Westhoughton is coming together with a group of volunteers for a good cause.
Following the death of life-long Wanderers fan Iain Purslow, the Bolton Wanderers Remembrance Group (BWRG) teamed up with prominent defibrillator campaigner, Claire Axon – who runs the charity Minutes Matter.
Manager of Absolute Bar & Bistro, John McGinlay, says it as always been a goal for The Victoria pub – which he also runs – to have a defibrillator installed.
John will took on a walking challenge with volunteers, which started from the Toughsheet Community Stadium to Blackpool Football Stadium to help raise funds for life-saving training and defibrillators across the borough.
He said: “It has always been a big thing for the pub to have a defibrillator.
“It’s such a brilliant thing to be a part of, and it helps raise awareness for a good cause.
“As a pub we want to give back to the community.
“And we’re still working to try and get more involved in the community and as much as we can.”
The funds raised will assist training for automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and first aid, which will supplement CPR.
Through their efforts, 14 volunteers have raised £5,500 thus far (www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/john-mcginlay).
They are on a quest to try to get more defibrillators installed across the community, even though they have earned enough money for at least four.
John’s eighteen-year-old brother-in-law Charlie Jones is excited to be joining him on the walk.
John went on, “It’s encouraging to see everyone band together and do this for the community. Everyone has pulled together.”
According to Andrew Bowling, a member of the organisation that created it, having lifesaving skills is more crucial than ever, something that Claire finds personally meaningful.
Over the next few days, everyone involved hopes to continue raising as much money as they can.
The stroll happened yesterday, Friday, February 23, in advance of Saturday’s Wanderers vs. Blackpool game.
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