28/09/2026
Helping Save Lives Within Our Community
Witney Lions Club (CIO) have distributed over 1000 Message In A Bottle (MIAB) to residents in Witney and West Oxfordshire in the last 2 years and installed two strategically placed defibrillators which are available 24/7 in areas of Witney which were not covered by a 24/7 defibrillator.
The defibrillators have been installed with support from local businesses and health centres enabling installation of the boxes. Witney Lions Club are grateful for the support from Wiring Solutions Group, Burford https://wiringsolutionsgroup.com/, who installed the latest one in Taphouse Avenue, just off the Hailey Road.
Recognising the vital role these devices play in public safety, Charlie Maynard, MP, and Witney Mayor, Cllr Jane Doughty, both took time out of their busy schedules to officially bring the community's second defibrillator online.
Lions Clubs MIAB is a simple but effective way for vulnerable people to keep their basic personal and medical details where they can be found in an emergency on a standard form and in an easily found place - the fridge. This information helps emergency services personnel, and social services identify the individual’s medication, allergies, and emergency contacts.
There is also a wallet version, known as Message In A Wallet (MIAW), and just like the fridge version, the medical details are recorded and then available to emergency services, should you collapse away from your home.
See Charlie Maynard's podcast at https://www.facebook.com/reel/1789850892256878
Witney Lions Club has found that there is a significant increase year on year in requests for MIAB from staff in the NHS who distribute these to those in their care and local groups who realise the importance of this information. We have received positive feedback from local health care professionals.
“The heart failure team have observed that the ‘Message in a Bottle’ initiative has had a significant positive impact on patients and healthcare professionals alike. By providing a simple and easily accessible way to store vital personal and medical information in one clearly identifiable location, patients gain reassurance that their wishes and essential details will be readily available when needed. This not only offers peace of mind for patients and their families but also ensures that visiting healthcare professionals can quickly access accurate information about the patient’s preferences for future care. As a result, it supports better decision-making, reduces stress during emergencies, and strengthens communication between patients and the multidisciplinary teams involved in their care.”
Witney Lions Club can provide these MIAB, MIAW and the defibrillators due to their fundraising events in Witney and the surrounding community. The funds raised by Witney Lions Club are used to support the local community that support them. Currently Witney Lions Club with the support of many local businesses are currently holding a raffle to raise additional funds to fund another defibrillator.
If you would like to know more about MIAB, please visit: https://witneylions.org.uk/miab/
Raffle Tickets are available at Tripp Hearing, 36 Corn Street, Witney and Simas Beauty, 13 Wesley Walk, Witney or please email: [email protected]
