Woman’s defibrillator quest given major funding boost
Michael Court, of St George's Theatre, the mayor Kerry Robinson-Payne, Jayne Biggs and Zoe Knell from Halifax at the unveiling of the defibrillator.Picture: David De'ath - Credit: Archant
A woman’s crusade to help save lives across Norfolk by installing defibrillators in public areas has been given a major funding boost.
Janye Biggs, from Bradwell and who set up Heart 2 Heart Norfolk to raise money for defibrillators, has held an inaugural fundraising ball at Great Yarmouth Town Hall.
The event was supported by her friend and mayor of the borough of Great Yarmouth, Kerry Robinson-Payne, one of whose chosen good causes is Heart 2 Heart Norfolk.
The ball was attended by more than 120 people and saw more than £3,000 raised.
The event included an auction where an autographed Norwich City football shirt sold for £150.
Mrs Kerry Robinson-Payne said: “The charity has placed more than 50 defibrillators in public places.
“I had no hesitation in the choice of Heart to Heart being one of my charities.
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“My own dad suffered a fatal cardiac arrest so the charity is of a very personal nature to me. I can’t praise Jayne and her achievements enough and I am delighted to call her a friend.”
There has also been another defibrillator installed since the ball and there are now 56 public access defibrillators that are dotted all over East Anglia for public use by the charity since it was established just over four years ago.
The latest to be installed is at the St George’s Theatre cafe on King Street in Great Yarmouth thanks to fundraising from the Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft branches of Halifax.
Each defibrillator costs the charity £1,250 to install and has a four-year lifespan.
They are very easy to use and dramatically increase the chance of surviving a heart attack from 5pc without CPR up to 70pc.
Mrs Bigg decided to set up her charity after her daughter, Violet, then aged seven, was not breathing at their home.
She called an ambulance and performed CPR before the paramedics arrived with a defibrillator to restart her daughter’s heart.
If you are interested in helping the charity by either donating or fundraising or just want more information then visit the Heart 2 Heart Norfolk page on Facebook.
