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Life-saving device installed at Wick football ground after fund-raising campaign


By John Davidson

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DEFIBRILLATORS are close to Tommy Sutherland’s heart – and that's not surprising when one of them helped save his life.

The 61-year-old recalled how one of the electronic heart-starters pulled him back from the brink when one of the devices was officially unveiled at the Upper Bignold Park, Wick, recently.

The machine was funded by a campaign following Tommy’s lucky escape after he took a heart attack at the soccer venue, three years ago.

The defibrillator was installed at the Upper Bignold Park, Wick.
The defibrillator was installed at the Upper Bignold Park, Wick.

He was running the line at a match between two Wick clubs, Retro and Thistle, on June 7, 2018 when he felt something wasn’t right.

At half-time, Tommy handed the flag over to another Thistle stalwart Peter Gunn... and keeled over. Tommy remembers little of the battle to save his life.

He learned later how helping hands applied CPR compressions until paramedics arrived. They happened to be in the area so were quickly on the scene.

It took three 'shocks' from their defibrillator to pull him back from the brink.

Tommy said: "Had the ambulance not been nearby and were quickly on the scene, I would not be here today."

He spent four days in Caithness General Hospital before being flown to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow for further treatment which enabled him to return north and in due course and get back to work as a field integrity officer, offshore.

He said: "I remember visits from Peter and some of the guys from work but little else."

Tommy, of South View, Wick, is at a loss to know why he was struck down by a heart attack so suddenly.

"I have always kept myself reasonably fit and had in fact completed a 5K run a few days before. Everyone I have spoken to about heart attacks have told me it happened slowly, first with a shortage of breath or pain in their arms. With me, there was little or no warning."

It was Tommy’s daughter Farrah Budge who set him thinking about defibrillators and the difference they could make in similar situations starting with the provision of one at the Upper Bignold Park.

Together they launched a fund, initially aimed at providing one there and two in Thurso and in due course other sports venues throughout the county.

It raised some £10,000 and Tommy and Farrah decided to entrust Caithness Heart Support fund with administering the cash.

The defibrillator was installed at the Upper Bignold Park by local firm G and A Barnie Ltd, free of charge, recently, and formally handed over to Coreen Campbell, secretary/treasurer of the Wick Amateur Football Association (pictured second from the right) by heart support treasurer, Caroline Macleod, (second left). On the extreme right is Farrah Budge.

Tommy Sutherland (pictured left) announced that the balance of the remaining cash will not only fund further defibrillators at sports venues but anywhere in the county they are needed.

He is only too aware of the difference they can make.


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