Stepping out to help life-saving appeal

A fundraiser braved bitterly conditions to complete a 44-mile walk in aid of a defibrillator appeal.

Mr Kevin Hempsall left his home in North Hykeham at 5am on Sunday and arrived in Skegness just before 4pm.

His efforts helped to raise hundreds of pounds for an appeal to buy a new defibrillator — a device that gives a high-energy electric shock to the heart through the chest wall to someone who is in cardiac arrest — that will be placed outside Barnby Road Academy, Newark.

The appeal was launched following the death in October of Mr David Marriott, who suffered a massive heart attack just after dropping off his grandson, Marcus, at school.

Mr Hempsall became involved in the fundraising as one of his colleagues, Mrs Ann Marriott, is David’s widow.

Since the Advertiser featured the story, dessert firm Bakkavor has pledged enough money to buy a second defibrillator, which Ann hopes can be located at Newark Castle.

Ann said: “It was a really windy and cold day, so all credit to Kevin for completing his walk.

“We had turned up with blankets and all sorts but he did not need them.

“Marcus also walked the final kilometre and told me he felt he could have walked further.

“In total, we have now raised £2,000 in two months.

“The defibrillator for Barnby Road Academy has been ordered, and the rest of the money will be given to the British Heart Foundation.”