The first life-saving defibrillator to be installed as part of the Chairman of Adur’s fund-raising drive was officially unveiled today at The Bridge Inn on Shoreham High Street.
This is the first AED to be installed after the Chairman of Adur District Council, Cllr Joss Loader, launched her appeal in memory of her late father earlier this year.
Thanks to the generosity of local people, businesses and organisations, funding has already been secured for five more machines in Shoreham and Lancing and locations will be announced shortly. All machines are being match funded by the Sussex Heart Charity.
Joss said:
“I am absolutely amazed and delighted by the early success of this appeal. People have been quick to rally round, which is really encouraging and heart-warming, and I am indebted to the Sussex Heart Charity for their generosity and unstinting support.”
“The Bridge Inn defibrillator has been installed thanks to the hard work and enthusiasm of everybody at Shoreham Insurance Services and I can’t praise them highly enough. I would also like to say a very sincere thank you to Imogen at The Bridge for allowing us to site it in the car park.”
Shoreham Insurance Services, which has offices in John Street, launched their crowd-funding appeal in the late Summer.
A company spokesman said:
“One of the co-owners at Shoreham Insurance Services lost a close family member late last year due to a sudden and unexpected cardiac arrest.”
“Defibrillator machines were discussed a few months later in the office and the idea of an appeal in the local area to raise funds to have a defibrillator installed externally was suggested.To have these machines available 24/7 and to raise the awareness of exactly what they are and how to use them is an excellent idea.”
“We are now working with another local business in Shoreham and hope to announce the location of the second AED very shortly, in conjunction with Joss’s appeal.”
Joss launched her community-wide appeal after the success of the Shoreham Beach Residents’ fund-raising drive earlier this year.
She added:
“I am delighted to say that Shoreham Beach Residents’ Association has already installed two AEDs on Shoreham Beach in Ferry Road and at the Church of the Good Shepherd earlier this year. I am now working with local community groups to try to ensure that all areas have 24/7 access to these great machines.”
“I am doing this in memory of my late father, Brian Hollebone, who died very suddenly from a catastrophic heart attack more than 30 years ago, when defibrillators were not available. If just one resident’s life can be saved, I shall consider it a job very well done. I have already had a very encouraging response and we are well on our way to raising enough money to fund six machines across the district. I am hoping that by the end of my year in office we will have at least one new AED in every ward across the towns and villages of Adur.”
