Defibrillator fundraising honours memory of Penkridge man
The memory of a Penkridge man has been honoured through a campaign to fund defibrillators in the town.
Bob Ratcliffe was walking home from the pub in December 2017 when he collapsed and suffered a cardiac arrest.
Since then, his son Tom and a group of friends have committed to raising funds to ensure defibrillators are available for use at locations across the town.
They have raised more than £3,000 through taking part in the Ironbridge half-marathon and a fundraising football match, plus other activities around Penkridge.
Three defibrillators have subsequently been installed in the town at the Cricket club, on Bartlett Close near Princefield First School and outside the Star Pub.
Tom said three more were in the process of being installed at the Scout hut on Station Lane, near Penkridge Middle School and on St Modwen Way.
He said: "It's just something that came about out of horrendous circumstances and a family tragedy and we wanted to make sure some good came out of it and help other people going through the same thing.
"The fundraising is continuing and we feel that the more we can, the better chances people have if they suffer cardiac arrest."
Further fundraising activities will continue through the next year, with plans to run a four team football tournament in the summer.
The local NHS trust have also helped by donating defibrillators to the group, as well as cabinets and key pads.
Tom spoke about what his father would have thought about the fundraising efforts.
He said: "He would have been really proud of all of us for what we've done.
"It's been hard since he died, but anything we can do to get positive vibes is a good thing."
