Charity presents Lochinver police officer with defibrillator to be carried in patrol car
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A charity has presented a heart start machine to a police officer based in north west Sutherland.
TV news reporter Nicola McAlley, charity ambassador for Keiran’s Legacy, handed over the defibrillator to Lochinver-based Sergeant Donald Morrison.
The life-saving equipment will be carried permanently in Sergeant Morrison’s police car and will be ready for use, should the need arrive.
Assynt Community Council gave a donation towards the defibrillator.
Sandra and Gordon McKandie founded Keiran’s Legacy in 2016 in honour of their late 16-year-old son.
Keiran was cycling from his family’s home near Elgin when he was hit by a car in March 2016, sustaining fatal injuries.
The police fast response vehicle, which was the first emergency service on the scene, had no emergency life-saving equipment.
For the last six years, Keiran’s parents have devoted their lives to fundraising to prevent anyone else from experiencing the heartache they have felt.
Their charity has helped save nine lives and installed more than 170 defibrillators in local communities and emergency response vehicles across Scotland.
Sergeant Morrison covers a huge geographical area covering from Durness to Gairloch and Torridon.
He said: “I am delighted we potentially have another tool in a rural community to save a life. I am indebted to Keiran's Legacy and to Assynt Community Council to be able to take delivery of this amazing gift.”
Nicola McAlley intends to visit Lochinver in the New Year to see the defibrillator in place and meet again with Sergeant Morrison and community council members to see how the charity can work with the community in the future.
