Man thanks Moray charity Keiran's Legacy for saving his life
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A MAN has thanked Moray charity Keiran's Legacy after his life was saved by one of the 10 defibrillators it has distributed in the north-east.
Members of the public stepped in to help James Geraghty when he stopped breathing on February 27, in a layby at Bridge of Don.
After giving him CPR his helpers flagged down road policing officers constables Tim Addy and Dave Robb.
The officers successfully used the charity defibrillator fitted in their vehicle to provide first aid until Mr Geraghty was taken by ambulance to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
The defibrillator was donated by Sandra and Gordon McKandie in the wake of the road accident that claimed the life of their only son, Keiran, on March 20, 2016. Keen cyclist Keiran was 16.
Police Scotland says that since being installed in police emergency response vehicles across North East Division in 2017, officers with the defibrillators have been deployed 71 times and they have been used on 24 occasions.
Six defibrillators are now also carried by road policing vehicles across the Highlands and Islands and the charity is pushing for this to be rolled out to other police divisions in Scotland.
Mr Geraghty has since recovered. He said: "I can’t thank enough everyone who stopped to help when I took unwell, including the members of the public who stopped as well as PCs Addy and Robb.
"My thanks must also go to Keiran’s Legacy for providing the lifesaving equipment and I also want to pay tribute to the Scottish Ambulance Service and staff at NHS Grampian who looked after me."
Sandra said: "Mr Geraghty is a young gentleman with a young family and things could have been so very different for them if it hadn't been for the fact that the defibrillator from Keiran's Legacy was in the back of the police car.
"It was utilised with success and he has made a full recovery. It's totally amazing he's made such a successful return to normal life.
"That's very precious for us to know considering the situation that we're in – with Keiran not being here.
"We're delighted for him and that Keiran is continuing to make a difference. His charity is very much active and supporting local communities."
Sandra added: "We're hoping that this pushes forward the impetus to get Police Scotland to agree to have defibrillators in road policing vehicles across the rest of Scotland.
"Every minute that a defib is not available the chances of survival reduces by 10 per cent. This man's life was saved by the defibrillator in the back of that car.
"It's not just something that could happen – it does happen. Hopefully the rollout will continue not just in the police but in other areas that don't have defibrillators.
"If people want to get in touch with us who are trying to raise funds for one, if we can help then we certainly will. Or if people want to donate or run a fundraiser we'd be delighted if they got in touch."
People can learn more about the charity here.
