“Everything can change in a heartbeat”
The villagers of Blackham feel just a little more prepared to provide help to anyone who might need it in the event of cardiac arrest. Following attendance to a local first aid course, it was identified that there were areas within the village not within range of the existing unit at Blackham Village Hall. The issue was raised and BETSI (Blackham Events Team for Social Inclusion), who focus on making a difference within the Blackham Village community, saw this as a perfect project and the work began
Crowborough Community First Responders, who already work with Withyham Parish Council, received an email and everything got underway. After an exchange with our Chair of Trustees and Team Leader, Leigh Westwood, a site visit was arranged following a review of potential locations. As the village is within the area we serve, we were fortunate enough thanks to the timing of the request, to be able to offer the villagers this unit as fully funded by our Charity
From initial enquiry to installation took just over a month, and we are very grateful to villager Julian Brown who built the most amazing framework to put the cabinet onto. Not only this, but Julian and his wife Trish, very kindly had previously agreed to host the unit on their own property, due to its ideal location
Mandy Bowler, who made the initial contact with us, said
“It shows that together, community and charity, led by volunteers with a pubic interest at heart, really can make a difference, almost within a heartbeat!”
Leigh Westwood, who led the project from our side, said
“It has been an absolute pleasure to work with this lovely group from the village. We constantly search and review where units are potentially needed, so I am sure we will be adding further units to Blackham Village and wider Withyham Parish in the future”
If you are interested in helping us fund and maintain Public Access Defibrillators
please click here
Pictured with some of the local villagers are, Leigh Westwood (left), Mandy Bowler (3rd from left), Jaqi Taylor one of our Fundraisers (5th from left) and Julian Brown (right of the unit)
