NMTC in the Community

Last year, NMTC performed WEST SIDE STORY to packed houses, for which they were nominated for several Regional NODA Awards. Out of the profits made on the show, the Board of Directors decided that, instead of nominating several beneficiaries annually, as has been usual, they would try to ‘repay’ the community of Jesmond (where they rehearse twice weekly) for ‘putting up with them’ for over 15 years, by donating a defibrillator machine, to be sited at their rehearsal venue – the United Reformed Church in Haldane Terrace. 

The idea was discussed with the Church officials and in due course, following a resounding agreement, plans were put in place to research and take advice from various experts to find the best and most effective machine for its purpose; saving lives where it matters. A Defibsafe 3 manufactured by WelMedical was duly ordered in November 2024 from the British Heart Foundation. 

In the meantime, the Church Committee had to apply to its Synod Committee for permission to site the defibrillator outside the main entrance of the Church, as it is a Grade 2 Listed Building. This took some time, as much consideration had to be made…. Colours of machines available, actual siting, sizes involved etc. However, some six months after the plan was put in place, we got the ‘go ahead’ and Messrs Caretech Systems Ltd – Electrical Engineers, were contracted to carry out the installation. With great help from Alison the Church Secretary and Stephen the Caretaker, Liam from Caretech Systems installed the cabinet for the defibrillator on 19th May. He worked hard to drill holes for the cabling through stone walls two feet thick and coupled everything up. He finished the job and switched the unit on…. NOTHING happened!. After testing for power, including the main supply from the Church, it was found the unit was just not ‘powering up’, therefore it must have been faulty!.  Ken Allan; Company Secretary of NMTC  - who had been the Project Coordinator, had then to begin the process of contacting all of the agencies involved to get to the bottom of the problem and resolve the matter at an early date. This took some doing as Caretech had to return to deconstruct the cabinet, it had to be repacked and returned to Ken’s house to be collected and replaced with a new unit. The carrier couldn’t collect and replace in one visit. The Church had to be considered for reinstallation and Ian from Caretech had to be re-booked to carry out the work once again. Homer Simpson would have rightly said…. ‘DOH!!!’. 

However, this all came together in due course and the new unit, fully tested and in great working order, was formally handed over to the Church and the Community of Jesmond on Wednesday 25th June at NMTC’s final rehearsal before their annual production of SHREK the MUSICAL, which took place the following week. In the photograph of the hand-over ceremony; Rev Ryan Sirmons and Secretary Alison Shiel from the Church can be seen with NMTC President Michael Avery and Chairman Pat Smith. We all hope that the benefit delivered is successful and that this type of support will be ongoing for many years to come.  

As a footnote; we were informed just recently that the machine had been used in an emergency. We pray it was successful…