Heartfelt donation to Critchley Community Hub

Salford residents have benefited from kind-hearted gym members raising money for three defibrillators.

Members of Salford-based gym M3 Perform set out to raise £1,000 to buy one defibrillator for the gym – but raised enough to buy two more. The gym decided to donate one to St Philip’s Primary School, Barrow Street, Salford. They then asked Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett and Rebecca Long-Bailey, MP for Salford and Eccles, where the defibrillator could best be used and they suggested Age UK Salford.

The defibrillator was presented to Ken Whittick, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Age UK Salford at Critchley Community Hub, Chorley Road, Swinton on Friday 17 June. They were joined by Rebecca Long-Bailey MP and the Swinton ward councillors, Councillors Jim Cammell, Stuart Dickman, and Heather Fletcher.

“Age UK Salford was chosen in part due to the story of Luke Pythian, a volunteer for the charity, who has been campaigning for more defibrillators to be available across the city after his life was saved, by a defibrillator, when he was 16 years old.” Mr Whittick said.

Lloyd Gordon, Director of M3 Perform, which will expand into bigger premises in Chapel Street later this year, said: “Our original goal was to raise money for one defibrillator, but with the support of our fantastic members, friends, and family we raised enough for 3. We thought there was no better thing to do than find out where in our local community needed them most.”

Councillor Jim Cammell, Lead Member for Children’s and Young People’s Services, said: “It’s always great to see the community come together and support each other like this. The defibrillator that M3 Perform are providing could be lifesaving for residents in Swinton.”