The Guinness Partnership, one of England’s largest housing associations has donated a defibrillator to Charlestown Community Primary School in Blackley, Manchester.
Construction work is now complete at Guinness’s Benmore Road development which means the defibrillator is no longer required, so contractors P Casey & Co Ltd asked Guinness if they could find it a suitable home.
A defibrillator is a device that applies an electric charge to a person’s heart when in cardiac arrest, to restore a normal heartbeat.
Representatives from Guinness and P Casey & Co Ltd recently visited the school to hand over the defibrillator, and to demonstrate how this important piece of equipment should be used and stored.
Angela Garrard, Development Director – North at The Guinness Partnership said: “We believe that delivering new homes and regeneration projects also means delivering lasting impact. This donation reflects our dedication to the communities we serve in Manchester, and our belief in working together to create safer, more resilient neighbourhoods. We extend our thanks to Casey for their support and collaboration on this initiative, and to Charlestown Community Primary School for welcoming this vital addition to their facilities. Together we are proud to contribute to a safer future for all residents in the area.”
Mr Brandon Fletcher, Headteacher at Charlestown Community Primary School said: “At Charlestown we prioritise the wellbeing and safety of our children and go to great lengths to ensure this is always maintained. Being a community school, we also know that supporting the wellbeing and safety of our local community should also be a top priority. That is why we are delighted to re-home the defibrillator that has been so kindly donated to school from The Guinness Partnership. By having local access to the defibrillator during our opening hours we are providing what could be vital, life-saving equipment to students, staff and our local community. It makes us very proud to work with local organisations such as The Guinness Partnership to provide for our community and we are thankful for the opportunity to keep others safe and well.”
John Walmsley, Social Impact Executive at P Casey & Co Ltd commented: “At Casey, our purpose is Improving Lives, and that means supporting the health, safety, and wellbeing of the communities we work in. Providing the defibrillator allocated to our housing scheme for The Guinness Partnership at Benmore Road, Blackley, to the local Charlestown Community Primary School is a small but potentially life-saving contribution. We’re proud to help create a safer environment for pupils, staff, and visitors, and to offer peace of mind to the local community. It’s about being there when it matters most.”
