THE profile of our campaign to make more Public Access Defibrillators (PAD) available across Tynedale is continuing to grow. 

The Heart of Gold appeal, which the Courant launched less than three months ago in partnership with the Stephen Carey Fund, was one of five good causes showcased at the Hexham branch of Waitrose on Friday as part of a Give and Gain Day. After featuring as one of the Waitrose Community Matters green token scheme projects in April, the campaign was selected along with four others to have a presence in store on the supermarket ’s busiest day of the week. 

Representatives from Heart of Gold, along with Chrysalis Tynedale, Corbridge Memory Cafe, Northumbria Blood Bikes and the West Northumberland Food Bank, all took to stands offering giveaways from Waitrose staff, to tell customers what they’re all about. Courant reporter Kathleen Moore and Debbie Finlayson from community fund-raising group Tynedale Heart Safe, which has been one of the biggest supporters of Heart of Gold, were on hand to speak to customers about how crucial defibrillators are in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest. The importance of the live saving machines was demonstrated back in February when Otterburn footballer Adam Stephen collapsed on the pitch and was saved thanks to the swift actions of medical professionals at the scene, who happened to have access to a defibrillator. 

Adam, who was just 17 at the time, has made a miraculous recovery and became the inspiration behind Heart of Gold, with the aim to make sure as many Tynedale residents as possible are given the same chance at life. “It is rare that community organisations, charities and businesses get to talk,” said Sarah Hollows, charity co-ordinator at Waitrose, Hexham. “So we thought offering the opportunity for them to speak with each other and our customers about the fabulous work they do would really help.” 

After learning about each of the charities, which do everything from supporting dementia sufferers, to transporting lifesaving blood and medical supplies out of hours and feeding families in need, customers were able to leave a donation in collection buckets at each check out. 

The store then hosted a networking afternoon tea for the organisations and local businesses. Debbie, from Bardon Mill, who has already fund-raised to provide two public access defibrillators for the village with the rest of the Tynedale Heart Safe team, has organised a grand prize raffle to generate money for the Heart of Gold campaign. A £1,000 cash prize is being offered along with donations of days out, meals out, holiday vouchers and golf days from local businesses. The tickets have been sold at venues across Hexham and Haltwhistle, including Wentworth Leisure Centre, and the group hopes to catch plenty of visitors at Northumberland County Show on Monday, where they will have a stand in the central shopping marquee.

 “It was great to be able to interact with customers at Waitrose on Friday and spread awareness of the Heart Of Gold campaign,” said Debbie.

 “After attending the Give and Gain event I headed to Tesco where the rest of the team were selling tickets for our raffle. The proceeds from the raffle will go straight into the campaign pot.” Tickets for the raffle, which will be drawn on June 15 and cost £1 each, are also available from the Hexham Courant offices on Beaumont Street in Hexham.

If you’d like to pledge a pound to help start a heart, you can donate to the Heart of Gold appeal online at www.hexhamcourant. co.uk/heartofgold