The 5p carrier bag charge helped petrol station manager save a life in Sheffield

A petrol station manager who used a defibrillator on a man who collapsed near his shop has credited the carrier bag levy for "helping to save his life".
Dave Senior. Picture: Central England Co-opDave Senior. Picture: Central England Co-op
Dave Senior. Picture: Central England Co-op

Dave Senior, who runs the co-op Birley Moor Road Petrol Station, in Frechville, Sheffield, sprung into action when passers-by called for help after finding a man working in a nearby street who had fallen ill.

The 37-year-old grabbed the defibrillator housed at the petrol station and, with the help of a nurse, used the device and CPR to bring the man back to life earlier this month.

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The device is one of more than 300 installed at Central England Co-op food stores and funeral homes as part of a scheme funded from the 5p carrier bag levy.

Mr Senior said: “It was a normal day at work when there was a shout from someone that they needed our defibrillator as someone was ill.

“I instinctively grabbed our machine and ran outside to find a man on the floor, conscious but in a lot of distress.

“A qualified nurse was checking him over and then, all of a sudden, he had a seizure and collapsed.

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“I quickly used the defibrillator with the nurse following up with CPR - within 60 seconds we went from him collapsing to us getting him back. It was a miracle.

“The ambulance then appeared and took him away to be treated. I understand that he has had an operation now and is expected to make a full recovery.

“Afterwards I could not believe what happened and was filled with a range of emotions, I was just glad that we had the defibrillator at the petrol station.

“It just goes to show the importance of these devices and how someone buying a 5p carrier bag has helped save the life of that man.”

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Central England Co-op worked closely with ambulance services to find the best locations for the devices and, where possible, fitted them to buildings externally so the community could use them 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Gavin Glidewell, Mr Senior's operation manager, said: “Dave is a caring and attentive leader who always goes above and beyond for his team and the local community.

“The news that he helped save a life came as no surprise and he should be really proud of his amazing actions.”

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