Village raises £4,300 in tribute to cyclist
AVILLAGE’S community appeal has raised thousands of pounds towards a lifesaving defibrillator following the tragic death of a local cyclist outside a primary school earlier this month.
Former motor mechanic Peter Heyworth, from Bacup, died suddenly outside Weir’s Northern Primary School on Friday, March 5, aged 66, leaving a wife Carol and daughter Terrie.
Together with Community Defibrillators for Rossendale, Pioneer Health Studio, Weir Pride and Anna’s Café Bar, the school are hoping to raise enough money to install a defibrillator which can be used on both adults and children should they suffer a cardiac arrest.
Having comfortably hit their initial £1,500 target, they have now raised more than £4,300.
On their fundraising page, the school said: “Due to a recent tragic event outside Northern Primary School, we realise that we are halfway between defibrillator points and in emergency situations, every second counts!
“We strongly feel that we should do something positive in memory of Peter Heyworth who suffered a cardiac arrest and sadly lost his life outside Northern Primary School.
“Peter was a well-known local man and a lifelong member of Pioneer Health Studio and together with Carol his wife, we would like to raise enough money to install this life-saving piece of equipment.
“Please support our cause in any way you can. You may be part of providing life-saving treatment.”
As part of the appeal, staff from Anna’s Cafe Bar, in Weir, have pledged to walk a combined four million steps in a month, the equivalent of about 12,000 paces each per day.
Among them is Niamh Melvin, whose mother Sandra is organising the school’s appeal, and Robert Mason and Leah Flatman - both weekend staff who are currently studying at Lancaster University and doing laps of the campus.
Anna’s Cafe Bar owner Anna Federici told the Free Press: “The fundraising for vital, lifesaving, community- accessible equipment and education for my village is really important to me
“I wanted to get involved because of the tragedy of Peter’s death outside the school and because I have a personal connection to his wife, Carol.
“My thoughts are with her and the family at this utterly sad time.
“My staff and I wanted to get involved in doing some good for our community.
“We are such a tight-knit village and we look after each other.
“I’m humbled at people’s generosity and support for the fund.”
To donate to the appeal visit justgiving.com and search for “Northern Primary School”. Peter’s funeral will be held on Wednesday, March 24 at Burnley Crematorium.