Community fundraise to buy defibrillator for estate

A new community defibrillator and bleed kit will be installed on the Beechdale estate in Walsall after a successful community fundraising campaign.

The Residents R Us group launched the fundraising appeal to buy a defibrillator and bleed kit for the estate following anti-social behaviour and violence in the area.

They’ve managed to raise £1,500 to buy the equipment, install it and have all the required security and signage.

As well as hitting the fundraising goal, an indoor defibrillator has been donated to the group which will be installed inside the community centre.

Sue Lycett, of Residents R Us, said: “We’ve had lots of anti-social behaviour and violence on the estate and a few of us at the group put our heads together and came up with the idea of fundraising for a defibrillator and bleed kit.

“In the first four weeks of fundraising, we raised £1,000 and we’ve now managed to hit our target. We’ve raised this money by doing a series of tombolas and other fundraising activities, as well as people making generous donations when they’ve come into the community centre or our shop.

The response has been brilliant and I can’t thank people enough.

“This equipment could save somebody’s life and to raise the money for it as a community is something quite special.”

The group is in talks over various options for where the equipment could be located once bought, but it’s hoped this’ll be confirmed soon.

Sue added: "I hope that these pieces of equipment are never needed, but if they are, it'll be thanks to the community and their brilliant fundraising that they're in place."

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