READERS will have noticed the reports and photographs of the Bolton ICD Support Group's campaign to raise funds to provide local schools, sports, and community groups with Automatic External Defibrillators over the last couple of years.

I highlight the two most recent reports, the Smart Gold Award from the North West Ambulance Service, (Support Group wins top Award January 10) and the aim to provide 100 AED's, the total at presented at present is 67. (Group plans to hit defibrillator target January 15) What is probably not known is that the active committee of the fundraising group only has six members and that three of them have implanted cardiac devices, and three are in their 70's. In addition to the fundraising this small group operates a support telephone line for ICD patients old and new. The numbers can be found on the groups web site.

The large amount of money that has been raised so far, to provide the 67 AED's denoted, is so large, each AED costs £700, that we have to apply to become a registered charity.

It will be realised, even with the talents of our Fundraising Manager, that our committee will need help and we are looking for volunteers particularly with a financial background to help us with our aims. We also would like people to help on stalls etc at our fundraising events.

Please consider this appeal that will help to save lives in Bolton and surrounding areas.

Alan Rigby

Committee member Bolton ICD Support Group and Defib4Bolton Campaign.

boltonicdsupportgroup@hotmail.co.uk