VILLAGERS in Begbroke have notched up the latest victory in a campaign to ensure nobody Oxfordshire is more than eight minutes from a defibrillator.

In July 2014 former South Central Ambulance Service commander Dick Tracey pledged to increase the number of the life-saving machines available 24 hours a day across the county.

At the time there were 120 but Mr Tracey, backed by the Oxford Mail, has successfully ensured there are now more than 500.

Begbroke Village Hall's committee is the latest group to get on board, and has installed one of the machines outside the hall.

The group in the village near Kidlington took on the pledge to support the cause, in partnership with Begbroke Parish Council and Mr Tracey, and were supported in their fundraising efforts by the wider community.

Mr Tracey said: "Begbroke Village Hall committee became aware that defibrillators make a significant improvement to the survival rates of those who suffer a cardiac arrest.

"They are delighted to have achieved their goal, with having one installed outside the village hall.

"It is fully operational and ready to be called upon via the 999 system should a situation arise."

Over the coming months Mr Tracey will be hosting 'familiarisation training' for villagers to get stuck in and learn how to use one of the vital life-saving machines.

Specialist training is not required to use a defibrillator and each machine carries instructions on how to use it.

But Mr Tracey's sessions will ensure everyone is comfortable handling the machine and confident if it is ever needed.

Sessions will be organised through the Begbroke Village Hall committee members.

Mr Tracey added: "It has been a pleasure working with Begbroke Parish Council and Sue Blackshaw from the village hall committee.

"Having another public access defibrillator in the county is fantastic."

Public access defibrillators can be used to restart the heart of a person having a cardiac arrest.

On average, someone in the four SCAS counties – Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Hampshire – now uses one of Mr Tracey's defibs four times every week.

But the former ambulance commander is determined to keep adding to the number defibs in the county and has asked anyone able to help to get in touch.

If you would like to support the campaign contact the Oxford Mail by emailing news@oxfordmail.co.uk