Bake sale raises cash for defibrillator at Devon supported living service
A fundraising drive has been launched to provide the lifesaving device
A fundraising drive has been launched to raise money to provide a lifesaving defibrillator in a small Devon market town.
Colleagues working at learning disability charity Hft were doing first aid training when they came up with the idea of raising money to buy the medical device to install at its Oak Meadow supported living service in South Molton.
As well as the supported living service, where six adults with learning disabilities live in their own self-contained flats, the charity also has a residential service, Oak Tree House, in nearby Bampton.
Learning disabled adults supported by both services use the community facilities at Oak Meadow for a range of activities including attending the charity’s weekly accessible choir.
Hft Service Manager Kay Nicholls who runs the charity’s Oak Tree House residential service, said: “While doing the first aid training we discussed what we would do if someone suffered a cardiac arrest while at the service.
“We realised that the nearest defibrillator is at the top of the village, which would be a 10 minute sprint up a hill and back again from Oak Trees.
“At a time when every second counts in saving someone’s life, we thought it was appropriate to look at how we could provide another defibrillator for the town not only to benefit the people we support, but the entire community.”
Kay’s daughter Josie, who is studying health and social care at St Petroc College in Barnstaple, quickly swung into action and organised a bake sale at the college.
Josie, 17, was helped by classmate Jodie and Hft support worker Ann (pictured) to run the cake sale, raising £85 by selling a variety of treats including Victoria Sponge, cookies and cream cupcakes and flapjacks.
The fundraising drive is continuing with a bingo night planned on April 11 at the Coaching Inn, South Molton.
The fun starts at 7.30pm with a range of prizes on offer, including trips to a hair salon and a family ticket to Exmoor Zoo.
There will also be a raffle on the night with tickets at £3 a strip. Tickets for the bingo are £10 a person and available on the door.
There are already two defibrillators in South Molton at the community centre and sports pitch at South Molton College.
Anyone who wants to support the fundraising drive or make a donation can contact Kay at kay.nicholls@hft.org.uk.
