Life-saving equipment installed thanks to donation

Shaw Road in Witham now has a defibrillator following a campaign by resident Louise Howard.

She approached the Templar’s Community Association after seeing a feature about a defibrillator on a TV programme. The association secured £1,000 funding from customers on the Eastlight Residents Group South and £750 from Braintree District Council to purchase the life-saving equipment.

Louise, now the association’s Acting Company Secretary, said:

“I am so pleased that Eastlight and the Council were able to support something that could save lives on our estate and surrounding area. Thank you to the local engineer who installed it for free, and to Ali Babas takeaway, who have it fixed to their outside wall and fund the electrical running costs.”

Mark Garnham, Estate Co-ordinator at Eastlight Community Homes, said: “We firmly believe that our residents are best placed to know what is needed in their communities for them to feel safe and happy. The association has been doing some great work for years and we want to support them however we can.”

The association is planning free defibrillator training this summer when restrictions lift. They are also planning a safe Easter Egg hunt with pictures in residents’ windows, plus an outdoor bootcamp. You can follow them on Facebook and Twitter, and visit their website. 

If you need funding for a community project, please contact us