Partnership working secures defibrillator for Polegate.
A new defibrillator has been installed in Polegate this week thanks to partnership working between
local organisations. The new defibrillator is located outside Lighting Fibre on Twin Oaks
Drive.
Eastbourne Area Community First Responders were able to secure funding for the defibrillator through the community grants scheme from South East Water. With the location chosen to enhance the network of strategic placed defibrillators across the community, Lighting Fibre agreed to have the cabinet installed on the front of their building and supply its power source. While Polegate Town Council have agreed to ensure it’s maintained and kept available through the British Hearts Foundation the circuit which feeds into the Ambulance Service nationwide database of public accessible defibrillators.
Polegate Mayor Cllr Dan Dunbar said “This is community partnership working at its finest to provide lifesaving equipment for our community.”
Richard Bradford from Eastbourne Responders added “In a cardiac arrest for every minute without CPR and use of a defibrillator survival rates reduce by up to 10%. For anyone wishing to have training in the use of defibrillators and how to perform CPR can contact us at info@eastbourneresponders.com for a free training session.

Community First Responders receive donation from Polegate estate agent.
Polegate based estate agents Archer and Partners have donated over £500 to their local team of Community First Responders to enable them to install further lifesaving equipment for the Polegate Community.
The donation of £570 was raised through the estate agents community photocopying service. David Shelton from Archer and Partners said “It is an absolute pleasure to support the Community First Responders so they’re able to provide another defibrillator, which is vital to help saving lives”. Richard Bradford and Dan Dunbar visited their Polegate office to thank them for generosity and explain how their donation will be used.
Dan Dunbar who responds from Polegate said “We are extremely grateful to David and the team for this donation, which will be used towards a further defibrillator to be installed within the town to increase the coverage of public access defibrillators locally. Team Leader Richard Bradford added “the use of a defibrillator and commencing CPR prior to the emergency services arriving in a cardiac arrest can more than double the chance of survival.
Anyone who would like free training in CPR and the use of a defibrillator can contact us at info@eastbourneresponders.com

999 Event - 2024
Great turnout for Eastbourne 999 this year! All Responders that could possibly get there attended and taught CPR to over 1600 people. A great opportunity to meet the people of Eastbourne Area and explain the work of the Responders and give them the opportunity to learn life saving skills.
Cowbeech Bonfire Society
The Cowbeech Bonfire Society presentation evening at the Merrie Harriers where they made a wonderful donation of £650 towards the replacement of a defibrillator that was stolen from Community Wise in Old Town Eastbourne before Christmas. A lovely evening with many donations given. Well Done and Thank you Cowbeech Bonfire Society

Thanks to Matt Briggs - Founder Member
At our Annual General Meeting on 28th March 2024 Matt, who was one of our Founder Members, was thanked and presented with an inscribed vase in appreciation of starting what is now the thriving Eastbourne First Responders Team. Pictured with his wife Vicky and Secamb's Liason Steph Meech Matt said that without the great support from Vicky it would not have been possible.
