St Helens community come together to replace vandalised defibrillator

In an act that has caused shock and anger across the community, the defibrillator inside Taylor Park is reported to have been smashed, vandalised, and stolen on Friday, December 15.

The defib, which was installed just weeks ago, was put in place in memory of 46-year-old Carl Foster, who died following a cardiac arrest at Knowsley Safari Park in April.

Donations at Carl's funeral enabled the equipment to be bought, and it was installed in the hope that it could be used to save someone's life in the future.

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The defib was vandalised on Friday, December 15 (Image: Contributed)
Determined to not let the vandals win, Carl's friend Gary Ward almost immediately set up a fundraiser to recoup the investment that was lost and replace the community defibrillator as quickly as possible.

With Sintelliners coming together straight away to support the family, more than 50 people have raised almost £1,400 for the replacement defib, while many more have sent through messages of support.

Carl passed away following a cardiac arrest in April (Image: Michelle Ruddock)
Carl's sister, Michelle Ruddock, said: "It's just amazing. The people of St Helens are fantastic and they always come together when you really need them.

"We've had so many donations and messages of support, it is overwhelming and it has really put a smile on our faces.

"It makes you proud to be from St Helens."

The council helped to install the defib at Taylor Park (Image: St Helens Council)
As St Helens Council helped the family with the installation of the Taylor Park defib, and installed a second one in Victoria Park following Carl's death, councillors also expressed their dismay at the incident.

Councillor Andy Bowden, St Helens Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Climate Change, said: “We were dismayed to learn of the damage and theft of the Taylor Park defibrillator.

"Whether the idiots who did this knew of the unit’s origin or not, this criminal damage is utterly disgusting. 

“To deprive the community of such vital and potentially lifesaving equipment – the result of community donations in memory of a kind and spirited man – is beyond the pale. It defies all logic and any sense of basic human decency and empathy. 

“Knowing that this despicable act must have caused so much hurt, I’ve been truly humbled by the way that Carl’s family and friends have responded so quickly and positively despite their anger and grief. 

"And it is no surprise that the community has rallied around them, with the new fundraiser well on its way to replace the stolen defibrillator having raised £1,250 in just a couple of days. 

“I would implore anyone that might have information about this crime to report it to Merseyside Police on the non-emergency 101 number, quoting crime reference 23001278390.” 

If you would like to donate to the fundraiser to replace the defibrillator set up in Carl's name, you can visit this link.