A LOCAL woman has donated over £2,000 for a new defibrillator to be installed along Pathfinder Way in Bowerhill, following the death of her husband three years ago.
Norma Runyeard-Hunt donated the money in memory of her husband Robert Runyeard-Hunt, describing it as ‘Bob’s Legacy,’ following his death due to a cardiac arrest. It was Norma’s idea to donate money for the defibrillator in the hope she says, that it will save a life.
“At the time my husband passed away, if there was a defibrillator close by, it might have helped save him,” says Norma, “I thought later on and in the ensuing months perhaps if we had it, he might still be around. I made a promise to myself that I will donate in the hope it will help save other people’s lives and I would like to refer to it as Bob’s Legacy because if he didn’t pass away then I would not have thought of doing this. I would be very happy that at least one life will be saved and hopefully there will be more.”
Melksham Without Parish Council (MWPC) said the defibrillator will be installed near the bus stop along Pathfinder Way in the near future.
Norma said, “I want people to be aware that this exists and they can use it. This is an ideal spot because it’s right at the bus stop and there is the crossing, so people will be aware and they will see it. Initially, I thought perhaps a good spot will be in Wellington Drive because there’s a post box there and also a crossing but it doesn’t have the facility. This was a good choice.”
The defibrillator is Norma’s parting gift to the Melksham community, that she was a part of for 23 years as she left the town earlier this month to move back to her birth place in the Philippines, to be close to friends and family.
“I was able to achieve most of the things that I wanted to give back to the community and this is one of them which was a result of my husband’s passing away. I feel great even though I will no longer be here.”
MWPC has been exploring where more defibrillators should be installed in the parish.
Cllr Andy Russell said, “I am a great believer of these defibs, I have been a champion in getting these put in as many places as I can. We’ve got one put in down at Bowerhill Village Hall. This means a lot to the community. The quicker we get to a person who’s having a heart attack or a problem, they have got a better chance of surviving, than having to rely on ambulances that can’t always get there, and it’s not their fault, but this is a life-saver and I think we need more of these dotted around the area and access to them as well.”
Cllr Mark Harris said, “I think it should be a requirement of any new large estate that there should be one within five minutes.”
