Lifesaving equipment destroyed by vandals in Eastbourne

Eastbourne Heart Beat Campaigners were dismayed when they discovered a defibrillator in Sovereign Harbour had been thrown into a water feature just before Christmas.

The equipment, used to restart someone’s heart if they suffer cardiac arrest, costs around £1,000 – and the volunteers are hoping the public can help them replace it.

Alec Stephens, of Heart Beat and Eastbourne Lions, said, “It’s £1,000-worth of kit just gone in a flash. It’s very sad.

“This is lifesaving kit that’s put there for people’s benefit. It’s not a toy.”

But he said. “We are very lucky we have been going on for four years and none of them have been touched except this one.”

Eastbourne Heart Beat Campaign has been raising awareness of the importance of defibrillators since 2016.

It has installed more than 50 public access defibrillators at key points across town.

Councillor Alan Shuttleworth, of the Heart Beat Campaign, says they have been used and have saved lives.

He said, “It is really upsetting that anyone would abuse life saving equipment but the good news is that the network of public access defibrillators across the town has been respected, and defibrillators have been used in emergency situations.

“We would appreciate any donations or fundraising towards the Heartbeat campaign and in particular to replace this damaged defibrillator.”

An online fundraising page has been launched to raise the much-needed cash.

To view it visit virginmoneygiving.com