Dozens of life-saving defibrillators are now in place around Aycliffe Business Park thanks to the determination of a local campaigner.
Mark Preston has been raising money and awareness after the tragic loss of his friend, Darren Scott, who was just 40 when he suffered a fatal cardiac arrest during a football match playing for his Newton Aycliffe team, Cobblers Hall over 40s, in February, 2022.
Despite the best efforts of emergency services and those present, Mr Scott passed away after collapsing on the side of the pitch.
In honour of his friend, Mark, 50, launched the charity Missed a Beat to provide defibrillators and training to communities to help people in cardiac arrest.
He was sadly unable to meet his youngest son, Archer, as his wife only found out she was pregnant following his death.
Mr Preston said: “I still don’t think it’s quite set in yet, that Darren has gone – I speak to so many people that continue to share their memories of him that I still feel like he’s here.
“When I install or donate defibrillators, I always talk about Darren, and I get a sense that he is watching over with his smile thinking about the positive work the whole community does.
“Darren was an amazing man. Darren was a loyal friend and husband, devoted father, supportive coach, a genuinely great man who gave so much to so many.”
A Just Giving fundraising page set up by Mark, representing Cobblers Hall, to support Darren’s family had an initial target of £20,000 – it surpassed this by reaching £30,714.
And Mark’s foundation has funded or part-funded more than 20 community 24/7 defibrillators around Newton Aycliffe and the surrounding area – and more than 30 portable defibrillators.
Locations on the business park include Crafter’s Companion, Ramseys Garage, Cross-Fit All Out, Siesta, The Fish Tank, Ruff and Tumble, Glow, 3M, Gifts International, Gestamp and Forrest Park School, as well as a number of venues in the local community.
“All these defibrillators are placed on the national circuit and in any critical emergency where a defibrillator is needed, you will be directed to the closest device,” added Mark.
“We have earmarked other areas of Aycliffe Business Park and hope to work closely with more businesses turning portable devices into 24/7 community defibrillators to help make the town and business park one of the safest places around.”
Mark thanks Andy Shields EJS Electrical, Phillip Ph Sparks, Upex Electrical Distributors, AEL Electrical, Lacegold Electrical for their help installing the cabinets.
Darren Scott leaves behind his wife Donna, who he married in October 2021 and his four children: Declan, Noah, Layna, and Archer.
To find out more about Mark’s campaign, visit missedabeat.co.uk