A local charity which is on a mission to install defibrillators in Newton Aycliffe and the now the whole of the UK has benefited from much-needed funds and publicity from the Aycliffe Business Make Your Mark Awards.
Aycliffe Business Park Community decided to raise money on the night – held at Hardwick Hall on May 9 – for Missed A Beat, a local organisation run by Mark Preston.
Mark has been raising money and awareness after the tragic loss of his friend, Darren Scott, who was just 40 in February 2022 when he suffered a fatal cardiac arrest while playing football for his Newton Aycliffe team, Cobblers Hall over 40s.
In honour of his friend, Mark launched Missed a Beat to provide defibrillators and training to communities to help people in cardiac arrest.
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.
After generous local firms donated two top prizes at the Make Your Mark Awards night – with Husqvarna donating a robotic lawnmower and Ebac offering up a brand new washing machine – generous guests donated a total of £1,905.
Mark said: “What a great night to be invited along and be part of such an amazing event.
“I had the opportunity to speak to several business who said they would like to support the charity and fill in the missing pieces of the jigsaw on the business park.
“The money raised will Missed A Beat to continue its campaign of creating more defibrillators in the area and awareness of why they’re so important.
“Make Your Mark also helped us raise the profile and awareness around the need for portable and fixed defibrillators, and also the need for everyone to have the skills to perform CPR when or if needed.
“Aycliffe Business Park is a special place and the support from everyone on the park so far has been fantastic.”
ABPC chair Kerina Clark – pictured with Mark and Martin Walker from Make Your Mark organisers Resolution Media and Publishing – said: “We’re absolutely delighted that the awards night – which was a fantastic celebration of our business park – could also do some good for the local community.
“The money raised on the night is brilliant – but, more importantly, the awareness raised for Missed A Beat and the fantastic work Mark is doing is arguably worth a whole lot more.
“Hopefully, more organisations on Aycliffe Business Park will engage with Missed A Beat and consider installing public defibrillators at their premises which, ultimately, could help to save lives in the future.”