A WESTON charity whose project was to install as many defibrillators as possible in the town is celebrating its first anniversary.

A spokesperson for the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) praised the work carried out by Donate for Defib and said: “The Donate for Defib team has accomplished so much, that this one-year anniversary is a fitting point at which to celebrate all they have done, entirely voluntarily, for the people of Weston.”

GWAAC wishes to thank them for all that they do and is very proud to work in partnership with them.

Lisa Warrington, defibrillator coordinator at the charity, said: “This group are incredible.

“They decided that something needed to be done, and they’ve set about making a difference for the people of Weston.

“Defibrillators save lives and they want to give local people the best chance on their worst day.

“Their tenacity, determination and sheer hard work is highly commendable, and parts of Weston are becoming safer because of the difference they are making.

“There is still so much to be done so any support the community can give would be very welcomed.”

Josh Bell and Christine Chell are project lead and deputy respectively at Donate for Defib.

Peter Elston coordinates and liaises with local press, companies, organisations, supporters and sponsors and uses his professional photography skills to capture their work.

John Bell and Liz Bell cover events, volunteers and maintenance.

Prof. Graham Stuart, Consultant Cardiologist, and Malcolm Bowen are part of the Clinical Ambassador team alongside two paramedics Sarah Tester and Shaz Bricknell.

They even have a project mascot, Maya, a three-year-old Sheepadoodle who attends events with her PA/Ambassador Lucy. 

Josh said: "As Project Lead for Donate for Defib Weston-super-Mare Project, and also being a student paramedic and former cardiac surgery patient, I know that the importance of defibrillators in our local community is paramount to provide early intervention of someone experiencing a Cardiac Arrest.

“I am so passionate about this project and love every aspect of it because of the fantastic team I work alongside, including Nurses, Paramedics, Non-Clinical team members, and my former Consultant Cardiologist, Professor Graham Stuart.

"Everyone has a role to play, and all their continued efforts and support are thanked by so many."