Husband's death inspired defibrillator fundraiser

A woman whose husband died from cardiac arrest has raised enough money to buy three defibrillators and said: " I cry every time one goes up."

Tina Salway and her husband Jim were dancing at a Ska music night at On The Rocks in Cheddar, Somerset, when he unexpectedly collapsed in October 2023.

Just over a year later, she has successfully fundraised for the devices to be put throughout the gorge - and for a memorial bench at Cheddar Valley Rugby Club.

"If these machines save just one life then it will all be worth it," said Mrs Salway.

"It just feels amazing. I cry every time one goes up," she said.

Mrs Salway originally planned to buy one defibrillator but was able to purchase three after raising £4,250 through an Abba night at On The Rocks.

"We had loads of help from the community," she added. "Every single shop gave us a raffle prize."

Mrs Salway said staff at the rugby club are fitting her husband's memorial bench for free and a friend who is an electrician is also fitting the defibrillators at no charge.

"Everyone's been amazing, their help has made all this possible" she said.

She will be working alongside the fire service to hold defibrillator training sessions after Christmas.

A second fundraiser is planned for the spring which she hopes will fund a further three machines.

Defibrillators send an electrical shock to the heart that can help it restore a normal rhythm in the event of a cardiac arrest.

Advice on how to properly use one can be found on the St John's Ambulance St John Ambulance website.

According to the British Heart Foundation, there are 7.6 million people living with a heart or circulatory disease in the UK.