A POTENTIALLY life-saving piece of equipment has been installed in a pub after a fundraiser in a friend’s memory.

A defibrillator has been installed at the Dog Inn in Halstead after a regular customer and friend to many died in the pub.

Brendan O’Toole suffered a heart attack aged 53 in the pub on November 11 last year.

Gazette: In memory - the fundrasier was done in honour of Brendan O'Toole, who died in the pub last November

Following the tragic death, the pub and regular pub-goers wanted to fundraise for a defibrillator at the pub.

They managed to hit their £2,000 target within a matter of weeks thanks to the community's support.

Regular customer Peter Ballisat, 29, from Halstead, said he everyone was shocked with how quickly they managed to hit their target.

He said: “We met the 2,000 target within about three weeks, it was amazing.

“Multiple businesses have helped; they’ve given £100 or £200 and that has really helped.

“One guy just walked past one day said he liked what we were doing and gave us £100.”

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The group fundraising bought the defibrillator for £1,390, planning to keep some back for the upkeep of the device, and then to give another £500 to the community first responders.

Peter said: “We are giving a fair bit of the money left over to the community first responders.

Gazette: Life saver - Peter Ballisat with first responders Kevin Harmer, Sonia smith, Dan Lear and pub landlord Richard CouldronLife saver - Peter Ballisat with first responders Kevin Harmer, Sonia smith, Dan Lear and pub landlord Richard Couldron

“They are free volunteers in Halstead, not funded by the ambulance service, but activated by the ambulance service.

“One of has even been out to my dad before, they are a great group of people who give up their time for us.

“They even have to buy their own kit, so hopefully the money can really help.”

The defibrillator is not only for the pub but for the wider community and can play an important part in saving lives.

The defibrillators are typically located in workplaces and public spaces and anyone can use them when someone suffers a heart attack.

If you need a defibrillator in an emergency, the 999 emergency operator may be able to tell you where one is.

Peter added: “It is not just for us but the whole community, and it is in honour and memory of our dear friend Brendan.”