A life-saving device has been installed at a Moray harbour in tribute to a local stalwart who devoted his life to the port.
Billy Lyons ran BL Cranes at the Burghead seafront and became a well-known and respected figure in the village and at coastal spots across the north.
He died in December, aged 76, and his family donated the proceeds from his funeral towards Burghead and Cummingston Community Council’s campaign to provide the area with defibrillator machines.
Now, a device worth £1,650 has been attached to the wall of the harbour office alongside a plaque honouring Mr Lyons.
The community council’s secretary, Les Taylor, explained that the crusade to install defibrillators across Burghead was sparked by a visit from the Forres dentist behind the Defibs for Moray campaign.
Ken Glass, 36, appeared to be dead after 19 minutes of CPR but one seventh blast from one of the devices restarted his heart and he has since championed their use.
Mr Taylor said: “Mr Glass spoke at one of our meetings, that started this all off.
“After Mr Lyons died his son, Stewart, said the family would like to purchase a defibrillator in his memory and specifically wanted it down near the pier.
“Mr Lyons was a Burghead loon with a connection to the harbour so that seemed fitting.”
The community council has also installed a machine beside the village’s Free Church and is fundraising to add more at other suitable spots.
Mr Taylor added: “We want them spread about so that everybody has one in their locale.”
Moray Council funded the wiring and facilitated the installation at the harbour office, through harbour operations manager Duncan Brown.
