Pub landlord's joy as Inkersall community comes together to raise money for new defibrillator

A defibrillator will be fitted at The Hop Flower on Beeley Close after a community fundraising campaign led by the pub’s landlord, Lewis Brown.

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He said: “We wanted to do something nice for the community to help bring us all together in what has been such a difficult year and figured this was something which would work as not only does it unite us all but we get a life-saving piece of equipment as a community asset.

“We have operated from The Hop Flower since February and it’s been a rocky ride with the pandemic but our customers have supported us as much as possible and we couldn’t be prouder to be part of this community.”

The fundraising efforts began when Lewis set up an online JustGiving page.

He said: “We raised over £200 in the first day from the kindness of our customers.

“We’ve witnessed such selfless acts of kindness from our community – to name a few we have Jules Griffiths and her friend who have been making face masks with hearts on raising over £100.

“We also have nine-year-old Freya Sykes who has been selling her old books and DVDS and raised £50.

“And Ben Wood Fire and Security has offered to fit the defibrillator for free.”

An anonymous donor has also contributed an amazing £1,000 to the campaign – meaning the target of £1,300 was smashed within days.

Referring to the anonymous donation, 23-year-old Lewis said: “I was stunned and couldn’t believe it.

“On the JustGiving page they said ‘because you never know when you might need a defibrillator. I've decided life is too short and you can't take it with you’.

“The person who donated the substantial amount of money is still yet to come forward – but on behalf of myself and our community thank you to all who donated and helped us reach our goal so quickly.”

Lewis said the excess money raised will be donated to the Derbyshire Community Hub to help local families though the Christmas period.

The defibrillator has been ordered and will be fitted as soon as it arrives.

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