❤️💙 From Survival to Support ❤️💙Sandringham Care Home Raises £2,835 for Welsh Air Ambulance and MISSEDABEAT
- Mark Preston
- Jun 3
- 3 min read
What started as a conversation following David Robinson's cardiac arrest has grown into something truly special.
Following the installation of the 24/7 community defibrillator at Sandringham Care Home, the BBC Radio Tees interview with David Robinson, Gary Philipson and MISSEDABEAT, and the incredible support shown by residents, staff, families and the wider community, it was time to celebrate the fundraising efforts that have taken place over the last few months.
The team at Sandringham Care Home set themselves an ambitious challenge — to virtually walk the distance from Land's End to John O'Groats, a journey of 1,084 miles.
What an achievement it has been.
Throughout the challenge, residents and staff followed their progress across the country, receiving postcards from locations along the route and tracking every mile completed. The challenge became much more than a fundraiser; it brought people together, created memories, encouraged participation and helped raise awareness of the importance of CPR and defibrillators.
The challenge was inspired by David's story.
At just 21 years old, David suffered a sudden cardiac arrest whilst on holiday in Wales. Thanks to the quick actions of his fiancée Justyce, the use of a defibrillator and the incredible response from emergency services, David survived and continues his recovery today.
It was fantastic to see David attend the event and witness first-hand the impact his story has had on so many people.
As part of the celebrations, Audrey, David and the team at Sandringham Care Home officially handed over an incredible £2,835 raised through their fundraising efforts.
In recognition of the emergency services who helped save David's life, £1,335 was donated to the Welsh Air Ambulance Service. Following David's cardiac arrest, approximately 25 emergency responders attended the incident, including two air ambulance crews, whose actions played a vital role in helping save his life.
The team also proudly presented a further £1,500 to MISSEDABEAT ❤️💙 to support the charity's ongoing work installing, maintaining and registering community defibrillators across local communities.
Following discussions with Audrey and the team, MISSEDABEAT ❤️💙 fully oversaw the project to install the 24/7 community defibrillator at Sandringham Care Home, including arranging and funding the installation to ensure the device was available to protect both residents and the wider community.
Only days after the installation, the device was activated during an emergency. Thankfully, the casualty made a full recovery and the defibrillator was not ultimately required. However, it highlighted the importance of having lifesaving equipment immediately available. Had the device not been there, staff would have needed to travel elsewhere to access a defibrillator, causing valuable delays in a potentially life-threatening situation.
The fundraising carried out by Sandringham Care Home was never just about raising money. It was about raising awareness, bringing people together and supporting causes that had become deeply personal to everyone involved.
Inspired by David's journey, Audrey, the staff, residents, families and supporters wanted to recognise the organisations that played a part in David's survival whilst also helping MISSEDABEAT continue its work supporting communities with lifesaving defibrillators and CPR awareness.
The result was an incredible community effort that will continue to make a difference long after the fundraising challenge has finished.
The support from Sandringham Care Home has been nothing short of incredible. From completing the Land's End to John O'Groats challenge, fundraising activities, supporting awareness campaigns, hosting a MISSEDABEAT charity collection box and encouraging Station View Pharmacy to also support the charity with a collection box, they have fully embraced our mission of helping save lives.
The success of this project also highlights the important role care homes can play in improving community access to lifesaving equipment.
MISSEDABEAT ❤️💙 hopes that more care homes will join forces with the charity to help increase the number of publicly accessible defibrillators available within care settings. Not only do these devices provide reassurance for residents, staff and visitors, but when installed externally and registered on The Circuit, they can also provide vital support to the wider community during a cardiac emergency.
Sandringham Care Home has shown what can be achieved when a care home, local community and charity work together with a shared goal of making communities safer.
A huge thank you to Audrey, David, the staff, residents, families and everyone who has supported the fundraising efforts so far.
You have not only raised an incredible amount of money, but you have also helped raise awareness of cardiac arrest, CPR, defibrillators and the importance of ensuring these devices remain emergency-ready when needed most.
This is community spirit at its very best ❤️💙
Remember every heart can MISS A BEAT ❤️💙
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