Oxhey Park gets defibrillator thanks to council grant

The Friends of Oxhey Park successfully applied for the funds from the Neighbourhood Grant managed by Watford Borough Council, amounting to £2,663.

This sum allowed them to purchase and install the lifesaving device at the Tasty Bean Café in Oxhey Park.

It is part of the council's ongoing efforts to make Watford a safer place for residents and visitors, equipping public spaces with emergency medical equipment.

The defibrillator can drastically boost survival rates for individuals suffering a cardiac emergency, providing immediate aid in cases of life-threatening heart conditions.

Sandy Belloni, chairman of Friends of Oxhey Park, said: "We are delighted to receive this grant from the council.

"Having a defibrillator on-site provides an added sense of security for those visiting the park.

"We hope that we will never have to use it, but if the need arises, we will be prepared to act quickly and effectively."

Tasty Bean Cafe (Image: Watford Borough Council)

Watford mayor Peter Taylor added: "We are committed to making Watford a safer place to live, work and play.

"The Neighbourhood Grant scheme is one of the ways we are achieving this goal.

"I am delighted that Friends of Oxhey Park were awarded this grant to install the defibrillator, which is an essential lifesaving device."

It is readily accessible to all park visitors in case of an emergency situation arising.

On top of installing the device, the Friends of Oxhey Park additionally encouraged other community organisations to consider applying for the Neighbourhood Grant programme to enhance the safety of their own spaces.

Applications are currently being accepted for the next cycle of funding.

For more details or to explore this year's projects, interested parties should visit the Watford Borough Council website.

The grant programme, funded by the Community Infrastructure Levy from developers of new housing, operates annually, with the aim of improving the community's sustainable growth.