New defibrillator at heart of community
A DEFIBRILLATOR has been installed at a pub in Ash, just over the Surrey border in the borough of Guildford, after a donation from a housebuilding company.
The new life-saving kit was installed outside The Lion Brewery after a £1,700 donation from Bellway. The housebuilder, which is delivering new homes at Admiral Park in nearby Tongham, funded the equipment after meeting resident Steve Messenbird, who had undergone open-heart surgery.
Mr Messenbird said: “We have been investigating the possibility of getting a defibrillator within this corner of Ash for some time, but it was a chance meet with a member of the Bellway management team that set the ball rolling. I was absolutely delighted when they agreed to pay for the defibrillator outright.
“Having undergone open heart surgery in 2010, I understand the benefits of having a defibrillator and the necessity to have one available quickly should the need arise.
“I know I speak for everyone down this part of Ash when I thank Bellway for their amazing generosity. In the years to come, I am sure this contribution will save lives.”
The defibrillator was installed free of charge by a local electrician, while the power supply and the maintenance of the device will be provided by the landlords of The Lion Brewery, Mike and Lyndsey Armitage.
The couple said: “With an ageing community around us, our pub is the ideal place to house the defibrillator and we are delighted to support this initiative. The Lion Brewery is at the centre of the community. It is next to the park where organised children’s football takes place, and in front of the entrance to Ash Ranges where dog walkers, bikers and hikers come daily.”
Daniel Williamson, sales director of Bellway South London, said: “We are grateful to Steve, Mike and Lyndsey for giving us the opportunity to fund this life-saving device.
“Due to their initiative, the people of Ash can now rest assured that they will have a defibrillator whenever they need it.
“We are pleased to have been able to support the safety and wellbeing of people in the community near the homes we build.”
A ROYAL Army Medical Corps officer from Aldershot is taking on a running challenge to raise money for charity.
Captain Seesun Gurung, 29, has been running three miles a day since May 2020 to raise money for SSAFA, an Armed Forces charity, and plans to continue until his 30th birthday on November 12.
Seesun was inspired to take on his challenge after seeing the work SSAFA do for the Armed Forces community, including its digital inclusion initiative within the Gurkha community.
He said: “I saw the work that SSAFA was doing to help the Nepalese community during the lockdown. Seeing that SSAFA had donated electronic equipment to the more vulnerable, isolated and older members of the Gurkha community struck a chord with me and I immediately knew that SSAFA would be the charity that I would do the fundraiser for.”
Having recently completed the Fleet Half Marathon last month, Seesun aims to keep running until the very end, taking on his challenge in all weathers and locations.
He is currently stationed in York, and if he continues running until his birthday he will have completed a total of 925 days.
Donations can be made on his Just Giving page: justgiving/ seesun-gurung.