Three new defibrillators have been donated to Port St Mary Commissioners, boosting the village’s ability to respond swiftly to cardiac emergencies.
The devices were presented on Friday (March 13) by Nancy Quilliam, President of Port St Mary Rifle Club, along with Captain of the Parish of Rushen Paul Costain, his partner Sally‑Ann Maiden, and Acting Clerk to the Commissioners Mark Kemp.
One unit will be installed at the Rifle Club in memory of Peter Quilliam, who served as its President before his passing.
New Defibrillators
Nancy said her family had “always been advocates for Craig’s Heartstrong since its conception” and that upgrading the defibrillator a decade after their original donation was “the natural progression”.
Mark Kemp said his own experiences of medical emergencies had shown him how vital quick access to a defibrillator can be.
He recalled an incident near the Commissioners’ office where he requested a device, adding that although it was ultimately not needed, “this brought home to me the importance of these devices and that’s why I’m making this donation.”
Paul Costain and Sally‑Ann Maiden have donated a unit for the Town Hall, saying they hoped it would offer reassurance to residents.
“Defibrillators save lives and having several available throughout the Port means that the community is better prepared to respond if someone needs urgent help,” they said.
Commissioners Chair Jean Teare thanked all three donors, saying the contributions “reflect the strong community spirit in Port St Mary” and could make a crucial difference in life‑threatening situations.
