Residents of Abingdon now have access to a new lifesaving defibrillator thanks to a fundraising drive by local pub The Nag’s Head. The AED (automated external defibrillator), was installed earlier this month after the pub team, led by general manager Anna Kowalska, raised over £2,000, with some help from owners Brakspear.
Anna said: “Our location on the river means we’re popular with dog walkers, runners, boaters, tourists and visitors to the Cricket Club opposite us, any of whom could potentially need emergency assistance. So we thought we could raise money for a defibrillator for the community. It’s great to have gone from that initial idea to installing a defibrillator outside the pub, which will be here for anyone who needs it.”
The money was raised from donations by guests over a few events in the run up to Christmas at The Nag’s Head, which is part of Brakspear’s Honeycomb Houses group of managed pubs. Money also came in from sales of their festive ale Oh Bee Joyful, and a Honey, Fig & Apple crumble dessert, with a percentage of revenue from both going into the charity pot.
In addition, Brakspear topped up the fund to give The Nag’s Head the £2,100 needed for the defibrillator, through its ‘Brakspear’s Giving Back’ scheme which supports local fundraising initiatives by providing additional funds.
Anna added: “The Nag’s Head is at the heart of the Abingdon community, so we’re delighted to have this piece of emergency kit which could help to save life. Thanks to our guests who donated so generously, and to my enthusiastic team who helped to raise the money.”
Brakspear’s Giving Back encourages pubs to raise money for charity, by enabling them to unlock additional money from a £25,000 annual contribution into the fund from Brakspear. Separately, sums from Brakspear’s Giving Back are being put into bee conservation, a cause which Brakspear has supported for some years, last year installing 12 beehives across their pubs, nine of them at The Lion in Wendlebury near Bicester, which is also part of the Honeycomb Houses group.
Brakspear chief executive Tom Davies said: “Congratulations to the team at The Nag’s Head on raising money for the defibrillator, and we’re delighted we were able to help them install it.
“Our pubs are all about people: the people who work in them, drink in them, and live in the communities around them. We are looking forward to supporting more local communities through Brakspear’s Giving Back. Anyone involved with a charity or good cause can approach their local Brakspear pub to discuss fundraising activities from putting a collection tin on the bar to running an event.”
Defibrillators can help to save the lives of people suffering a heart attack. A quick response is vital and patients who receive defibrillator treatment within one minute have a 90% chance of survival. (British Heart Foundation).
