AN automated external defibrillator which was paid for by money raised by a volunteer café has been unveiled in Old Basing.

The Village Cafe in Old Basing has raised money for two AEDs.

The first of the machines was installed at St Mary’s Church and was unveiled with a ribbon cutting on Friday, June 10.

The ribbon was cut by borough councillor Kate Tuck.

The location of the second defibrillator has not currently been decided.

The Village Cafe raised £1,500 for each machine.

The Village Café is a community run café that is run by volunteers.

The café opens on Friday afternoons during term times in the parish room of St Mary’s Church, Old Basing, and provides home made food and drinks.

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The café is a non-profit making group, with all money that the café makes going back into the community.

Village Café committee chair Deborah Thorne said that volunteers feel “Brilliant” for managing to raise the required funds.

She continued: “It started off, we thought ‘Oh, we’re never going to do this’ as we’re just a small café that charges hardly anything.

“But were so well supported by the community, it was really good.

“We want to give a huge, huge thank you to the community for the support they give us.”

Not only has the café funded the two machines, but member Helen Armstrong organised training sessions in conjunction with the Ambulance Service on how to use the equipment.

The sessions were open to anyone in the community who wanted to attend and took place at the Old Basing Bowls club.

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These sessions provided attendees with the confidence and knowledge to be able to use an AED if necessary.

While the café might have managed to achieve its goal for the AED machines, the volunteers are already planning their next fundraising initiative.

Deborah said: “We are looking to raise more money.

“We are looking to help out the local infants’ school, Old Basing Infants School, because they want to build a new playground for the children there, so we are hoping we can make a donation to that towards the end of July.

“We’re always welcoming volunteers, and we’re just going to continue the best we can to raise money and fund local projects.”

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