Shepherd Neame has joined forces with the London Hearts charity to install lifesaving defibrillators at six of its pubs across Kent and Essex. Government match funding has been secured for the project.
Athena Sigsimondi, general manager of The Bellhouse, Leigh-on-Sea, with Gary Harvey, of the Jude Harvey Foundation
Among the pubs to receive a defibrillator is The Bellhouse, in Leigh-on-Sea. Members of the Jude Harvey Foundation recently visited to see the new defibrillator in situ.
In December last year, when the pub officially re-opened following a £300,000 transformation, Shepherd Neame chief executive, Jonathan Neame, presented a £1,000 donation to the foundation. It promotes heart screening and awareness to help prevent young sudden cardiac deaths,in memory of 19-year-old Jude, from Southend, who died after suffering a cardiac arrest in 2023.
“We are pleased to support Shepherd Neame in their endeavours to fund and install lifesaving defibrillators in their pubs,” said Jude’s father, Gary. “Anything that can be done to improve awareness and access to such vital equipment is to be applauded.”
Athena Sigsimondi, general manager of the pub, added: “The Bellhouse is here for its community, and we are delighted to welcome the installation of this defibrillator, though, naturally, we all hope it is never needed.”
Other defibrillators have been installed at:
- The Manor Farm Barn, in Southfleet, near Gravesend;
- The Belle Vue Tavern, in Pegwell Bay;
- The Granville, in Canterbury;
- The Cock Inn, in Boughton Monchelsea, near Maidstone; and
- The Plough Inn, in Lewson Street, near Faversham.
