A LIFESAVING Suffolk team have gained a vital piece of equipment today in memory of a much-loved supporter.

A LIFESAVING Suffolk team have gained a vital piece of equipment today in memory of a much-loved supporter.

Jean Burrows, of Kelsale, near Saxmundham, had been helped on numerous occasions by the town's First Responders and it was her wish that money be collected for the group after her death.

So after Mrs Burrows died aged 76 in September after suffering a stroke, her husband Ted, 78, set about raising money for the cause.

By raising about £1,050 Mrs Burrows friends and family helped the Saxmundham First Responders buy a new defibrillator which has a plaque dedicated to her.

Mrs Burrows' daughter, Jill Harrison, of Capel St Mary, said: “She had several strokes before she died which left her with epileptic fits and several times the First Responders had to come out.

“They were very good, particularly to my father and it was very reassuring for him to know they were there.

“It was her wish that there wouldn't be any flowers and any money raised would go to the First Responders. That is what my dad wants too.

“We're really pleased we got so much and that they have been able to buy another defibrillator.”

Yvonne Blake from the Saxmundham First Responders added: “We are really pleased.

“We had one defibrillator but we needed another one.

“This one is state of the art so hopefully we can go out and save people's lives.”

Have you raised money for a defibrillator? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.

SPEND a Little, Save a Life is an Evening Star campaign to get lifesaving heart equipment in all of Suffolk's busiest places.

The Star has teamed up with the East of England Ambulance Service to highlight the potential lifesaving importance of defibrillators.

Commonly known as defibs, the electric shock machines are relatively cheap, easy to use and are absolutely vital for cardiac arrest patients.

From big employers to public venues and bustling shops which see thousands cross their thresholds every day - all should be rallied to invest the £1,500 it costs to buy a defib.

The difference they can make is in no doubt as for every minute's delay in getting to a patient in cardiac arrest, the chances of survival reduce by ten per cent.

To help out, the Star is offering a £10 start-up kitty to the first 20 organisations who pledge to go ahead and buy a defib.

And the cardiac charity Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome UK is putting another £50 into the kitty.

To find out more about getting a defib, e-mail Jon Needle at jonathan.needle@eastamb.nhs.uk.