AN Altrincham inventor has seen his genius solar-powered defibrillator installed in a park where a man ‘died’ for an hour after suffering a cardiac arrest last year.
Ian Lilley is helping to save lives with his innovative Defibrillator Superbin invention – the world’s first solar-powered defib contained inside a bin.
And the first model was installed on Ian’s home turf – Altrincham’s John Leigh Park – on Wednesday April 12.
Glenn Rees and Heidi Kinrade (far left and far right) from Friends of Navigation Park, an advocate of Ian's Superbin Tool Boxes, with Alan Rydout and Dave Jolley, from John Leigh Park (second left and third left), and inventor Ian Lilley (second right). Photo by Melissa Hague
Demand for a defib in the park was ramped up after a 45-year-old Ian Welsh suffered a cardiac arrest during a game of tennis with partner Connie in early 2016.
Connie had to perform CPR on Ian and paramedics worked on him for an hour before his heart started beating by itself.
Connie was told Ian had a 50:50 per cent chance of survival but thankfully Ian pulled through.
The frightening experience prompted Connie and Ian to raise money for an onsite defib and Ian Lilley, along with partners, loaned a defib to the park until his solar-powered model was ready.
Ian Welsh and Connie Bird helped raise money for the solar-powered defib, after Ian suffered a cardiac arrest in the park in 2016
"We are delighted to see the new installation of the defib Superbin,” said Connie.
“It's reassuring to know that if another poor person suffers a sudden cardiac arrest, as Ian did last year, they will have the best possible chance of survival.
"We are very proud to be a part of the fundraising project. The Friends of John Leigh Park organisation have done a fantastic job of realising this project and have demonstrated great community spirit.
"We want to say a big thank you to all of the local donations for funding this essential safety upgrade for the park."
The installation has come after more than 18 months of hard graft and fearless determination for Ian Lilley.
The entrepreneur left his family’s booming restaurant business to launch his own businesses but after a bout of bad luck, he turned his attention to his long-held passion – inventing.
The world’s first solar-powered defib contained inside a bin has been installed in an Altrincham park. Photo by Melissa Hague
He created the Keep Britain Tidy-endorsed Superbin Tool Box - a litter bin/locked toolbox containing equipment for organised and impromptu voluntary litter picks – which sparked the idea for the Defibrillator Superbin.
Ian’s life-saving invention is now being mooted as the next big thing by ambulance services and a proposed government initiative could see his defibs installed in schools, sports and leisure centres and other public facilities across the UK.
He said: “I am very pleased to have now installed the world’s first solar powered and freestanding public access defibrillator.
“John Leigh Park is a wonderful, well-kept and busy park and a credit to all the volunteers and staff and I could not be happier to see my invention providing life-saving equipment in this, my local park.”
Alan Rydout, from John Leigh Park, pictured with the solar-powered Defibrillator Superbin, which doubles up as a bin and toolbox. Photo by Melissa Hague
Dave Jolley, from the Friends of John Leigh Park, said: “This is a magic day, something achieved thanks to the bravery and personal strengths of Connie and Ian Welsh, the genius of Ian Lilley and the response from so many local people who want to make the world safe for everyone.
“To have this extraordinary leap forward in emergency cardiac care available first on John Leigh Park, and in the park's centenary year, is mind blowing. Respect for all that has been done - and we hope now that this humble bin will save lives across the globe.”
If your business would like to sponsor the John Leigh Park Superbin, contact Ian on 0777 444 7177 or email ian@superbin.co.uk. All funds are used to further improve the park and facilities.
Follow Ian’s progress with Superbin on Twitter @TheDefib.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel