Sadly, on 14th August 2017 a much-respected Selsey gentleman died in hospital. His family decided that any funds raised should be donated to the Selsey Community First Responders and asked us to say how the money would be spent. In the event, the money raised by the family and friends was substantial; indeed, sufficient to fund a complete Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) installation. It was suggested to the family that this is how the money should be spent and they agreed. Therefore, a new PAD has been installed on the front of the public toilets at the end of Hillfield Road close to the beach. It carries a brass plaque which reads:  In loving memory of Gary Byford, 20th June 1958 to 14th August 2017. ‘Continuing to help others’.

This is the first time in Selsey that a PAD has been funded in this way and we are very grateful to the family for thinking of us.

Another ‘first’ is the fixing of a PAD to a private house in a residential area. Colin Rose (Rose Electrics) has been installing all our PADs at no cost and has been a great supporter of the First Responders. He took this a stage further by asking if he could sponsor and fit a PAD security cabinet to his house. We readily agreed and said we would provide the defibrillator. Finding locations in residential areas is very difficult and does have legal implications. So, a hige thank you Colin.