A SECOND life-saving defibrillator has been installed in Staindrop in memory of a late Freemason who wanted to leave something for his fellow members and community.
Dave Cox was a mason and former master of the Rose of Raby Lodge in Staindrop until he passed away in December 2017 following a battle with cancer.
For a while the 76-year-old, who lived in Darlington, had been keen to try and raise funds to buy a defibrillator for the village which would be sited outside the masonic hall on North Green. Having started selling books, he managed to raise around £300. Following his death, fellow members vowed to keep up his good work and through various raffles and with the help of the benevolence fund, a total of £1,500 was raised. A heart-start machine has now been installed on the front of the masonic hall in memory of Mr Cox.
Mr Cox’s son, Phil, 42, is a mason at Millbank Lodge in Darlington where his father was also a member for a number of years.
He said: “It was something that was close to Dad’s heart. He would be very proud and delighted that there is a defibrillator here. He thought it was vital to have something like this. He’d had heart problems himself in the nineties. He would say, ‘none of us are getting any younger.’ Dad did a lot of work at the masonic hall in Darlington and he helped to get one there too.
“The members of Rose of Raby do so much work for the community and further afield. This place was very close to Dad’s heart. He loved it here. He was immensely proud of all the members of the lodge and the work that they have done.”
Rose of Raby secretary and mason, Morris Race, said: “Dave was ill and he wanted to leave something for this hall. He set the fund away. We just thought it would be nice for Phil because he is so proud of what his dad did here. These machines save lives. There is access to the cabinet and there are easy audible instructions on how to use it. It is registered with the North East Ambulance Service who are providing free training on how to use it.”
Anyone is welcome to register to attend one of the two-hour training sessions which will take place at the masonic hall this month. The next is on February 23.
Mr Cox added: “There are other things that this hall is used for. There are various events held here throughout the year. It is for whoever uses the hall as well as the community. It may never be used but it is there. It is also in memory of Dad which is the icing on the cake.”
Another defibrillator is also located outside Scarth Hall on South Green.
To book a place on a training session contact Mr Race on 07821160223.
