Defibrillator installed at Hampton Water after housebuilder’s £800 donation

- 03 Dec 20

A new defibrillator has been installed at Hampton Water country park in Peterborough, after housebuilder Vistry East Midlands stepped up to support a fundraising campaign led by one of its residents. Matthew Kelly was the first person to move into the new Hampton Water at Peterborough housing development being built by Bovis Homes, which is part of Vistry Group. After watching a television programme about a young boy who had to resuscitate his father when he suffered a cardiac arrest, Matthew launched an appeal to raise £2,000 for the purchase and installation of a defibrillator at the park. He approached Vistry Group, whose East Midlands office is located at Southgate Park off Bakewell Road, and it agreed to donate £800, helping him to reach his target. The lifesaving piece of equipment was purchased through AED Donate, a national charity which supports the placement of defibrillators in communities across the UK, and has been installed outside the Peterborough Wakepark clubhouse off Beebys Way. Matthew, 40, said: “Watching an eight-year-old boy have to give his father CPR on television made me realise that one day that could happen to my son and although there are defibrillators in various locations across Peterborough, there wasn’t one close by in Hampton if it was ever needed. “So many people visit Hampton Water to go to the cricket pitch, wakeboarding lake and nature reserve so this is essential equipment and it’s something for the community. The response I’ve had and the stories I’ve heard from charities and from local people who have been affected by cardiac arrest have been really inspiring and made me even more determined to reach the fundraising target. “I’ve been organising this fundraiser for over three months and emailed Vistry to see if they would be willing to contribute to getting a defibrillator fitted near their development. I’ve been overwhelmed by their generosity and it’s their contribution which has enabled us to achieve our goal.” Vistry Group was formed earlier this year and includes Bovis Homes, Linden Homes and Vistry Partnerships. Bovis Homes is building a range of apartments and houses at its Hampton Water development, which is located off Aqua Drive. Nic Chapman, sales and marketing director of Vistry East Midlands, said: “When Matthew got in touch to tell us about his fundraising appeal to install a defibrillator at Hampton Water we were more than happy to help. We also offered to fit the protective cabinet so more of the money he had received in donations could go towards the lifesaving piece of equipment. “To raise over £2,000 in just three months is an amazing effort from Matthew and we’re pleased to have done our bit to help. It’s great to know we have such kind and caring residents at our development who are prepared to go the extra mile and look out for the welfare of their neighbours and the wider community.” To find out more about Matthew’s fundraising project, visit www.aeddonate.org.uk/projects/hampton-water/. For more information about Bovis Homes’ Hampton Water at Peterborough development, visit bovishomes.co.uk.