Provide Community – an employee owned, community interest company, who deliver health and social care across Essex, East Anglia and other parts of the UK – has awarded a £2,000 grant to local charity, Witham Hub, to fund a vital publicly accessible defibrillator in Braintree.
The grant, facilitated with support from community focused, micro-organisation, Promise of Hope, has enabled the installation of the new defibrillator at a community hall in Braintree, home to Goldingham Drive Community Pre-School. The lifesaving device is dedicated to the lasting legacy of Scott Thomas Gilhooly, who was tragically murdered in May 2020.
Mark Heasman, Group Chief Executive at Provide Community, said: “At Provide Community we are committed to transforming lives, supporting initiatives that improve health and wellbeing across the regions that we serve. Access to lifesaving equipment, such as defibrillators can make all the difference in an emergency, and we are proud to contribute to this vital cause in Braintree. We commend Witham Hub and Promise of Hope for their dedication to ensuring these resources are available to the community.”
The defibrillator is now fully operational and serves as a crucial resource for the local community. A poignant commemorative plaque accompanies the installation, paying tribute to Scott’s unwavering commitment to the Braintree community.
A spokesperson from Promise of Hope, said: “This project showcases the power of collaboration, with businesses and charitable organisations coming together to make a tangible difference. We are immensely grateful to Provide Community for their generous donation and to Witham Hub for their ongoing support.
“Scott was a pilar of strength, love and light in the Braintree community, always fostering connections and supporting those in need. His legacy lives on through initiatives like this, ensuring that lifesaving equipment is readily available to all.”
Witham Hub, which already has an established defibrillator network across Witham and has now supported the expansion into Braintree, will oversee the ongoing maintenance of the Goldingham Drive defibrillator. Supported by members of Promise of Hope, the team will ensure that this critical device remains in peak condition and accessible to those who may need it in an emergency.
All defibrillators are registered on the national defibrillator database, called The Circuit, ensuring their locations are visible to emergency 999 call handlers.
People can familiarise themselves with the locations of defibrillators both locally and nationally online by visiting: www.defibfinder.uk
