A POTENTIAL live-saving piece of equipment has been installed in a pub after a fundraiser in a friend’s memory.

A Public Access Defibrillator has been installed at the Dog Inn in Halstead after a regular customer and friend to many died in the pub.

Brendan O’Toole suffered a heart attack at 53, in the pub on November 11 last year.

Halstead Gazette: In memory - the fundrasier was done in honour of Brendan O'Toole, who died in the pub last November

Following the tragic incident, the pub and regular pub-goers wanted to fundraise for a defibrillator to have in the pub.

They then managed to hit their £2,000 target within a matter of weeks thanks to the community.

Regular customer Peter Ballisat, 29, from Halstead, said he everyone was shocked with how quickly they managed to hit their target.

He said: “We met the 2k target within about three weeks, it was amazing.

“Multiple local businesses have helped; they’ve given £100 or £200 and that has really helped.

“One guy just walked past one day, said he liked what we were doing and gave us £100.”

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The group fundraising bought the PAD for £1,390, planning to keep some back for the upkeep of the device, and then to give another £500 to the community first responders.

Halstead Gazette: Team effort - Peter Ballisat, Kevin Harmer, Sonia Smith, Dan Lear and pub landlord Richard CouldronTeam effort - Peter Ballisat, Kevin Harmer, Sonia Smith, Dan Lear and pub landlord Richard Couldron

Peter said: “We are giving a fair bit of the money left over to the community first responders.

“They are free volunteers in Halstead, not funded by the ambulance service, but activated by the ambulance service.

“One of has even been out to my dad before, they are a great group of people, that give up their spare time for us.

“They even have to buy their own kit, so hopefully the money can really help.”

The PAD is not only for the pub but for the wider community and can play a really important part in potentially saving lives.

The defibrillators are typically located in workplaces and public spaces, and anyone can use them.

If you need a defibrillator in an emergency, the 999 emergency operator may be able to tell you where one is, so you can ask someone to get it.

Peter added: “It is not just for us, but the whole community, and it is in honour and memory of our dear friend Brendan.”