New defibs in Norwich and Billericay

Two community defibrillators in Billericay and one in Norwich have been installed in the last couple of weeks, which have been funded by local people.

The life-saving equipment has been installed outside the police station and in an unoccupied red telephone box in the High street, Billericay and on the outside wall of Debenhams, Norwich.

The family of Peter Harris from Norwich, a retired police officer who suffered a cardiac arrest in December 2012 and later died in hospital, donated money from a collection at Peter’s funeral for the defibrillator.

Peter’s daughter, Laura Albon, said the launch was just the start of the family's mission to campaign for more defibrillators in the community.

"He was very proud of his job and was very much a family man. He was a true gentleman and had a wicked sense of humour. I think he would be really proud of this.

"My mission is now to become a trainer and to have defibrillators in as many places as possible in schools and superstores.”

The Billericay Street Pastors and other groups have fundraised to buy the two new defibs in the town, after a man died in the High Street in February this year. The Street Pastors are on patrol every Friday and Saturday night, offering a non-judgemental service to anyone who is vulnerable.

Phil Norton, Coordinator for the Pastors, said: “We thought ‘where are the defibrillators if it happens again when we are out on patrol?’ We put the message out to the community that there weren’t any and it inspired the local community to come back to us to offer help with the fundraising, which we then decided to coordinate.” 

The Trust attended the launches of the new equipment to thank all involved for their efforts.

Published 23rd December 2014