Businessmen help to replace stolen defibrillators
Two Black Country businessmen have been thanked for funding replacement lifesaving kits which were stolen.
Defibrillators were stolen in February from Upper Gornal Methodist Church, in Upper Gornal, Dudley, and Brooklands Amateur Boxing Club, in Woodsetton, Dudley.
Thieves forced open storage cabinets and damaged them beyond repair.
David Hazelwood, from Straits Mobility in Russells Hall, Dudley, and Dean Perks, from Changing Rooms, in Upper Gornal, Dudley, paid for the replacements.
Mr Hazelwood, who covered the entire cost of replacing one of the defibrillators, said: "I was saddened to hear that lifesaving kit had been stolen, these devices save lives by providing access to early treatment of someone in cardiac arrest before an ambulance arrives; I’m pleased our donation will help to keep us all safe."
Mr Perks, who donated a new storage cabinet, said: "I know St John Ambulance originally fundraised to provide this equipment, it was shocking that someone would take them, we were happy to provide a new ultra-secure cabinet to prevent this from happening again."
Keiran Casey, president of St John Ambulance in Upper Gornal has paid tribute to the pair, saying: "On behalf of everyone in our community, a huge thank you to David and Dean for their generosity in replacing this vital equipment, early defibrillation really is the key to surviving a cardiac arrest."
A Justgiving page set up to replace the second stolen defibrillator has raised £1100.
