A MASSIVE fundraising effort has seen Stoke Fleming get a defibrillator in less then three months.

It was at the end of August that Barry and Linda Morris started a campaign to get the life saving device installed in the entrance to the village hall.

The group was chaired by Lawrence Gee and included committee member Dr John Fenton. Now the dream has come to fruition with the handing over of the equipment at a coffee morning attended by about 50 friends and supporters.

‘We would like to thank everybody who has contributed in any way towards the defib fund,’ said Barry. ‘Everybody has been so generous. We have had money and cheques from people we don’t even know and more is promised.’

Not only has around £1,800 been raised for the defibrillator and its casing but another £700 remains in the fund to cover insurance and future replacement of pads and maintenance costs.

Malcolm Matthews, of Dartmouth St John Ambulance, and his wife Ann gave demonstrations in lifesaving techniques and information on how to use the defibrillator at the coffee morning held at Stoke Lodge. The event also raised almost £200 for funds.

The equipment has been installed free of charge by local electrician Lee Snape.