The stories behind Seaford Defib Guardians

Whilst at Seaford Park run and listening to the start briefing it was said that there are 3 defibrillators along the course, I realised that one defibrillator was so corroded it would not open so I thought, as a local locksmith, I could offer to service the lock. After further investigation I found that not only the did the lock need replacing but the pads and batteries were out of date, this was also the case with the unit at the lifeguards’ hut. After some conversations with the local Rotary Club and Councillor Rodney Reed, the Town Mayor, it became apparent that due to lack of maintenance funds most of the defibrillators in Seaford needed replacement parts.

I knew that I wanted to set up a charity to fill these gaps but needed some help, whilst telling a friend, Jonathan Chappell, about my idea I realised that he was really passionate about defibrillators for his own reasons, he was also good with web design so together we have created “Seaford Defib guardians”

MARTELLO ROTARY CLUB

Although I originally started talking to Seaford Rotary club, who are in the process of installing signs along the seafront to direct people to Defibrillators, they could not administer charity funds for us so I approached Martello Rotary Seaford who are excited to work with us and can also administer our funds, allowing us to operate within their charitable status giving us access to gift aid. I have been given an Associate membership to bring me under their umbrella. This will give donors the confidence that their gift is in good hands and will be protected by a respected registered charitable organisation.

A long standing friend, younger than me, is a musician and teacher. In November 2021, while teaching a class, he dropped to the ground without warning.

Those around him immediately recognised that he was not breathing and started chest comptressions and called 999. The school had an AED (defibrillator) which was prompty available and which delivered a number of shocks until the heartbeat and pulse returned.

The paramedics contimued rescutation to the hospital and he was treated on ICU for a few days to allow time for the brain and body to recover. The cardiologists put stents in and he is now fully recovered, is neurologically intact and has returned to playing and teaching music.

This is a true, everyday miracle, and these miracles DO occur every day. All it needs is for people to recognise that someone is not breathing and to call 999 and start doing chest compressions and for there to be a community access defibrillator close at hand.