The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) has named Equi’s Ice Cream and United Wholesale (Scotland) as the first two suppliers to join its Heart of the Community defibrillator programme.
Baba’s Kitchen owner and SGF National Executive member, Abdul Majid MBE, who is spearheading the campaign, wholeheartedly thanked both companies for their support of the project, which will see 24-hour accessible defibrillators placed in or near convenience stores across Scotland.
The initiative, which has already gained support from some of the country’s leading convenience retailers, is a collaboration between SGF, interfaith co-ordination group Saltire & Alam and St Andrew’s First Aid charity. The aim is to raise awareness of the lack of defibrillators in deprived areas of Scotland and highlight the opportunity for local retailers to help.
The scheme was announced by Abdul at the SGF Conference on 1st October. He will shortly be installing a defibrillator at his store in Bellshill, North Lanarkshire, as well as offering CPR training at a local bowling club for between 500 and 1,000 people.
Anand Cheema of Fresh in Falkirk Costcutter; Keith Fernie of David’s Kitchen; and Greens Retail boss Harris Aslam have also agreed to install the life-saving equipment.
The cost of a defibrillator is between £1,000 and £1,500, plus VAT, but Abdul claims that securing campaign sponsors will enable retailers to access the equipment at a discounted price.
Interested retailers and suppliers can email Abdul at umaraisha@aol.com for further details.
