‘A beacon of hope’ for the village of Sydenham

AFTER its recent experience of dreadful flooding throughout the village, the community spirit in Sydenham, near Thame, has had some positive news to report – news that may just save a life.

The villagers have pulled together and make time to raise money for an extremely worthwhile piece of equipment; a lifesaver that could provide a happy outcome to an otherwise tragic situation. Through a wide range of fundraising activities including a sexy car wash, a quiz, coffee mornings, a village hash, a sponsored run, a cake and biscuit stall, pressed apple juice and more, they have raised enough money to purchase a defibrillator.

The equipment has been placed inside the disused village telephone box which has been give a new coat of shiny red paint donated by David Beckford, the MD of Pronto Paints Ltd through the scheme started by British Coatings Federation. Martin Fagan from Community Heartbeat Trust, one of the key coordinating charities, advised and steered the village organisers through the process.

Gilly Harrison was the driver of the Sydenham defibrillator project, assisted by Siobhan McKee and Fiona Kermack, who all enthused villagers to dream up the fundraising ideas, and BBC TV presenter (and villager), Lizzie Greenwood – Hughes cut the heart embroidered ribbon at the official opening. The villages then attended a familiarisation session with Martin Fagan who demonstrated and explained just how easy the defibrillator is to access and operate.

As Gilly Harris said: “Through the tremendous efforts and support of the village, its phone box has been converted into a beacon of hope for those in need. “