NEWPORT now has a public access defibrillator thanks to the generosity of a diamond couple.

Aneurin and Phoebe Lewis of Eglwyswrw celebrated 60 years of marriage last October and asked for donations to the British Heart Foundation in lieu of gifts. A total of £3,315 was raised for the ‘No Time to Wait Appeal,’ where money is specifically spent on placing more defibrillators in locations across Wales.

The couple was asked to cut the ribbon on Newport’s defibrillator last Wednesday. It is located on the wall outside of the town’s pharmacy.

Speaking at the unveiling, Phoebe said: “It gives me great pleasure in presenting this defibrillator to Newport.

“We chose to donate money to the British Heart Foundation because I have had a triple by-pass and our son has had a new valve.”

Also present at the ceremony was the Mayor of Newport, Pete Smith. He thanked everyone who helped put the defibrillator in place and said “I just hope that it’s never used.”

The previous evening 30 volunteers from local businesses and voluntary groups gathered at the Memorial Hall to be trained on how to use the defibrillator and how to carry out basic first aid.

The British Heart Foundation’s representative for South Wales, Tony Williams said: “Defibrillators are especially important to rural communities like this where you cannot expect to have your own ambulance. It’s a horrible fact that for every minute that someone who has had a heart attack doesn’t receive attention, their chances of survival are cut by 10%.

“These things can really make the difference.”

Mr Williams added: “I have been impressed by the local response to this initiative and hope to run more training sessions in the near future. The more people who know about this scheme the better.

“Thanks to Aneurin and Phoebe, British Heart Foundation, The Welsh Ambulance Service and Newport Pharmacy, who all came together to make this happen.”