Marriott family proud to see defibrillator in place at Newark Castle

A family who launched a successful fundraising campaign to buy a defibrillator outside a school were invited to a ceremony to see a second one put in place outside Newark Castle.

Mrs Ann Marriott started the campaign after her husband, David, died last year. They had been married for 48 years.

He suffered a massive heart attack while he waited in the car while she took their grandson, Marcus, to Barnby Road Academy, Newark.

An off-duty paramedic and off-duty nurse helped him before he was taken to Lincoln County Hospital. Despite doctors' best efforts, he did not survive.

Mrs Marriott said although she does not believe a defibrillator would have saved her husband, she wanted to raise money for one.

"This is something positive that can come after his death," she said.

The device gives a high-energy electric shock to the heart through the chest wall to someone who is in cardiac arrest.

The money raised by the Marriott family and their friends has been used for a defibrillator which is now in place at the Barnby Road Academy. They were also able to give £1,000 to the British Heart Foundation.

Kerry Rigby, from Bakkavor Desserts in Newark, said when they heard of the appeal they decided to help by buying a defibrillator.

"Instead of raising money or donating to a charity, we wanted to be able to go out and do something right away," she said.

Mrs Marriott was asked where she would like the device to be placed and chose Newark Castle.

She said it was her husband's favourite spot, and somewhere he and Marcus visited each weekend. She said she was proud to see it in place.

"I am happy to see it in position, it makes it even better knowing that it is in David's favourite place," she said.

Marcus, who raised more than £700 towards the fundraising campaign, was among those to see the second defibrillator in place.

It will be maintained by Newark and Sherwood District Council.