Defibrillator installed at Peterborough park after dad’s fundraising campaign

Matthew Kelly with Weronika Maslak and Amanda Clarke from Bovis Homes

Matthew, who was the first person to move into the new Hampton Water development, started his campaign just three months ago and has already seen the project through to completion after receiving support from a range of local residents and organisations.

Bovis Homes, who are part of the Vistry Group, which built the Hampton Water housing development, agreed to donate £800 towards the £2000 target.

The rest was raised through a series of donations and raffles as part of a community wide effort.

Matthew with the new defibrillator at Peterborough WakePark

Matthew was inspired to start the campaign after seeing a TV news report about an eight-year-old boy who successfully performed CPR on his father when he collapsed while on a walk.

He said: “Watching an eight-year-old boy have to give his father CPR on television made me realise that one day that could happen to my son and although there are defibrillators in various locations across Peterborough, there wasn’t one close by in Hampton if it was ever needed.

“So many people visit Hampton Water to go to the cricket pitch, wakeboarding lake and nature reserve so this is essential equipment and it’s something for the community.

“The response I’ve had and the stories I’ve heard from charities and from local people who have been affected by cardiac arrest have been really inspiring and made me even more determined to reach the fundraising target.

“I’ve been organising this fundraiser for over three months and emailed Vistry to see if they would be willing to contribute to getting a defibrillator fitted near their development. I’ve been overwhelmed by their generosity and it’s their contribution which has enabled us to achieve our goal.”

The life-saving device was purchased through AED Donate, a national charity which supports the placement of defibrillators in communities across the UK, and has been installed outside the Peterborough Wakepark clubhouse off Beebys Way.

Nic Chapman, Sales and Marketing Director of Vistry East Midlands, added: “When Matthew got in touch to tell us about his fundraising appeal to install a defibrillator at Hampton Water we were more than happy to help.

“We also offered to fit the protective cabinet so more of the money he had received in donations could go towards the lifesaving piece of equipment.

“To raise over £2,000 in just three months is an amazing effort from Matthew and we’re pleased to have done our bit to help. It’s great to know we have such kind and caring residents at our development who are prepared to go the extra mile and look out for the welfare of their neighbours and the wider community.”

Dad launches campaign to have defibrillator installed at Peterborough WakePark