An amateur golfer who owes his life to a Vinnie Jones advert and then starred with the former footballer in a follow-up is helping his community save lives.
Alan Linton was 39 when the incident happened on a Colinsburgh golf course on February 5 2012.
Mr Linton, a labourer from Ladybank, was saved by friends who remembered the British Heart Foundation’s CPR advert featuring Jones and the Bee Gees song Stayin’ Alive.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=hcQG2MMegXwNow
he is helping Ladybank Community Council embark on an ambitious project aimed at saving lives.Inspired and supported by East Neuk First Responders’ successful defibrillator campaign, he is one of four people affected by heart issues who aim to raise £1,500 to buy the lifesaving machine and install it outside Ladybank Library.
The project is led by Kirsty Drummond and a defibrillator demonstration was held in Ladybank on Tuesday.
Ms Drummond said: “Collecting cans have been placed in many of the shops and businesses in Ladybank and we are liaising with local community groups to organise fundraising events.
“We want everyone to be involved so we can all have ownership of the defibrillator. We have already made a fantastic start to the fundraising, with an amazing donation of £500 from a local businessman.
“Survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in this country is poor, fewer than 10%.
“However, if a defibrillator is applied quickly, this can increase to more than 50%. The advantage with modern devices is they can be used by anyone, young or old, whether or not you have had any first aid training.
“However, we will hold awareness sessions to demonstrate how to use the defibrillator, to reduce any fears or concerns people may have about using them”.
The other group members joining Ms Drummond and Mr Linton in the fundraising endeavour are Avril Corbett and Joan Salmond.