A CHARITY has installed a defibrillator to safeguard the lives of those in the community in memory of a Kemp Town resident.
Richard Tredgett died suddenly from a heart-related problem in June 2019 at the age of 40.
His friends and family set up a fund with the Sussex Heart Charity in his name, raising thousands that the charity will invest in local cardiac services, including buying and installing the live-saving devices.
The defibrillator, located in the courtyard opposite Portland Mews in Kemp Town, was installed yesterday in Richard's memory.
James Ravenhill, a friend of Richard, who spoke on behalf of Richard's sister Claire and his family, thanked the Sussex Heart Charity, the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Trust and those that raised money to make the installation possible
He said that the defibrillator was a fitting tribute to him.
He said: "Richard never sat around waiting for things to happen - he always showed everybody what it really means to live, and was a good brother and uncle. He was quite shy in some ways but he was also good fun and always made the most of what Brighton offers.
"He was Brighton born and bred and lived along Marine Parade - these were the streets where he lived his life and having a defibrillator on these streets that could save somebody's life means a lot to his family and friends, as well as those who donated.
"Richard enriched our lives and reminds us how important it is for us to live while we have the privilege of doing so."
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CEO of the Sussex Heart Charity Terry Ayres said: "We are very proud to have been able to help install a defibrillator in memory of Richard.
"Not only are we remembering a loved one, but also potentially saving someone's life.
"I would like to thank the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust for allowing us to place the device on their premises."
AEDs are portable devices that check a patient's heart rhythm. If a problem is detected, they send an electric shock to the heart to restore a normal rhythm.
No formal training is necessary to operate the device in a medical emergency, as the operator is shown the necessary steps.
Such devices ensure that, should anyone suffer a cardiac arrest nearby, someone is able to administer life-saving actions before an ambulance arrives at the scene.
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