100 Years of Professor Frank Pantridge and his Defibrillator invention celebrated at Lagan Valley Island

October 4, 2016

 
The Mayor, Councillor Brian Bloomfield MBE and Chair of the Heart City Group in the Council, Councillor Margaret Tolerton, welcomed guests and survivors to Lagan Valley Island today to mark 100 years of the birth of Professor Frank Pantridge, inventor of the mobile defibrillator.  
 
The Council has donated 10 defibrillators within the local area to mark the 100 years anniversary and was delighted to welcome special guest Communities Minister Paul Givan who handed out the first awards for the Defibrillators for Sport initiative to five local sporting clubs in the Lisburn area.  
 
The announcement marks the start of the roll-out of 380 Automated External Defibrillators being awarded to sports clubs and organisations across Northern Ireland.
 
Cllr Margaret Tolerton, said: “The Professor has left a lasting legacy with the invention of the mobile defibrillator and today celebrated a hero, whose mobile defibrillator has saved countless lives.
 
“We are delighted that survivors were with us this morning to celebrate this most special centenary and I would also like to thank those guests who attended who knew the Professor who was a Freeman of the City.
 
“I would like to pay tribute to the Heart City Working Group members who assisted with the event’s arrangements today,” she concluded.