'I'm doing this for Alex's legacy': Sister unveils Wolverhampton defibrillator
After her brother died Rachel Dingle wanted to do something to make sure his legacy lived on.
Nearly a year later the first defibrillator has been placed in his memory in Brooklands Parade, Wolverhampton, with three more to come.
Alex Brown, aged 25, died suddenly on April 7 last year year after collapsing in the garden of the home he had just moved into with his girlfriend. She had gone out to play netball and found him collapsed in the garden when she returned.
He passed away from Adult Death Syndrome, also known as sudden unexpected death syndrome.
Since then Rachel, aged 30, has raised over £12,000 for charity in his honour and has placed the first of many defibrillators in Wolverhampton where he used to live.
She said: "My brother passed away from ADS and it was so unexpected. So since then we have been raising money for CRY and have been working with AED to get defibrillators in the community which we are placing in memorable places for Alex. The first one has gone where he lived.
"The money was raised by a charity rugby match between Lichfield Rugby Club Veterans and Alex's friends and a ladies fashion show.
"We have got another three defibrillators on the go. The second will be for Tettenhall which was one of my brother's old haunts. One of Alex's friends Russ is raising most of the money for this one with the Great North Swim.
"I'll also be going round Tettenhall soon trying to raising some money for the second defibrillator as it will affect them.
"I think it's massively important that they're accessible 24/7. Instead of sending your money to charities that might not effect you, this can effect anyone. In France and Italy they are everywhere so why not here? It's for Alex's legacy, that's what I'm doing it for."
Charity AED Donate has been working with Rachel to get the defibrillators set up.
One of its campaigners, Jamie Richards, said: "The campaign is going from strength to strength and it is great to see people like Rachel getting on board with their fundraising. We hope to be able to announce new partners which means more defibrillators in Wolverhampton very soon."
