Crafting Queen Sara Davies is one of many to have installed a defibrillator at their Aycliffe premises after being inspired by charity campaigner Mark Preston .
HEART OF THE MATTER
Business park is a safer place thanks to dozens of defibs
Dozens of life-saving defibrillators are now in place around Aycliffe Business Park thanks to the determination of a local campaigner .
Mark Preston has been raising money and awareness after the tragic loss of his friend , Darren Scott , who was just 40 when he suffered a fatal cardiac arrest during a football match playing for his Newton Aycliffe team , Cobblers Hall over 40s , in February , 2022 . Despite the best efforts of emergency services and those present , Darren passed away after collapsing on the side of the pitch .
In honour of his friend , Mark , 50 , launched the charity Missed a Beat to provide defibrillators and training to communities to help people in cardiac arrest .
He was sadly unable to meet his youngest son , Archer , as his wife only found out she was pregnant following his death .
Mr Preston said : “ I still don ’ t think it ’ s quite set in yet , that Darren has gone – I speak to so many people that continue to share their memories of him that I still feel like he ’ s here .
“ When I install or donate defibrillators , I always talk about Darren , and I get a sense that he is watching over with his smile thinking about the positive work the whole community does .
“ Darren was an amazing man . Darren was a loyal friend and husband , devoted father , supportive coach , a genuinely great man who gave so much to so many .”
A Just Giving fundraising page set up by Mark , representing Cobblers Hall , to support Darren ’ s family had an initial target of £ 20,000 – it surpassed this by reaching £ 30,714 .
And Mark ’ s foundation has funded or part-funded more than 20 community 24 / 7 defibrillators around Newton Aycliffe and the surrounding area – and more than 30 portable defibrillators .
Locations on the business park include Crafter ’ s Companion , Ramseys Garage , Cross-Fit All Out , Siesta , The Fish Tank , Ruff and Tumble , Glow , 3M , Gifts International , Gestamp and Forrest Park School , as well as a number of venues in the local community .
“ All these defibrillators are placed on the national circuit and in any critical emergency where a defibrillator is needed , you will be directed to the closest device ,” added Mark .
“ We have earmarked other areas of Aycliffe Business Park and hope to work closely with more businesses turning portable devices into
24 / 7 community defibrillators to help make the town and business park one of the safest places around .”
Mark thanks Andy Shields EJS Electrical , Phillip Ph Sparks , Upex Electrical Distributors , AEL Electrical , Lacegold Electrical for their help installing the cabinets .
Darren Scott leaves behind his wife Donna , who he married in October 2021 and his four children : Declan , Noah , Layna , and Archer .
To find out more about Mark ’ s campaign , visit missedabeat . co . uk
The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 11