The theft of a vital piece of lifesaving equipment from Cranleigh Cricket Ground has seen the community pull together resulting in a positive outcome.
Shocked by the news that thieves had stolen a publicly accessible defibrillator, Billingshurst resident Stefanie May Hills was prompted to get in touch with Cranleigh Hospital League of Friends with an offer to supply and fund a replacement, in partnership with the national charity SADS UK.
As the stolen defibrillator was covered by insurance, the Friends asked Stefanie May Hills whether she would like to donate a unit for the eastern side of the village. Ms May Hills, who used to work in Cranleigh, kindly agreed to the suggestion. The new defibrillator will be installed on the outside wall at the rear of Londis at Park Mead Parade.
This latest addition strengthens the partnership between Cranleigh Hospital League of Friends and Cranleigh Lions who carry out the invaluable work of maintaining ten of the 18 publicly available defibrillators across the village.
Steve Shutts from Cranleigh Hospital League of Friends says: “While it was upsetting to lose a vital piece of equipment to theft, we are incredibly grateful for the generous support we have received. The Park Mead defibrillator will soon be active and available for public use whilst the replacement defibrillator at Cranleigh Cricket Ground is due to be installed in July.”
Cranleigh Hospital League of Friends and Cranleigh Lions plan to work together on future projects which will help to raise awareness about the location of the defibrillators and how they save lives.
To see a map showing the locations of the defibrillators in Cranleigh, visit the parish council’s website at www.cranleigh-pc.gov.uk/Defibrillators_26934.aspx.
