Hucknall's Arc Cinema raising funds for defibrillator

Hucknall's Arc Cinema is raising funds for a defibrillator.

The cause is being led by staff member and Hucknall resident Kelly Golding who is extremely passionate about it due to the impact the ease of access to a defibrillator, and quick thinking actions of one individual, had on her family.

Speaking exclusively to Hucknall Nub News, she said: "My father had a heart attack a few years back. He fell in the street and a paramedic walking to fetch his kids from school, wasn't at work, saw my Dad fall and went and got the defib from the Badger Box over the road and saved his life.

"My Dad was out for nine minutes, my Dad was gone for nine minutes. They brought him back and I had two years with my Dad that I'd never have got otherwise."

There is no doubt in Ms Golding's mind or those of the medics at the scene that without a defibrillator being so close to where her father collapsed in Annesley, on the doorstep of Hucknall, he would not have survived the ordeal.

Now, she is determined to secure the funds for the cinema to have a defibrillator that would be for community use so that other people will 'be able to benefit from having a family member saved.'

"I want the community to get involved in this, have a hand in it, see us doing it. It's something that we need at this end of Hucknall."

In order to be able to purchase a defibrillator, the cinema needs to raise around £1300.

So far, staff have sold film posters at Ashfield District Council's Christmas Festivals including the one in Hucknall and there is a donation bucket currently on the counter for customers to contribute if they are able.

The Arc is now in the process of organising a raffle and Ms Golding has written over 70 letters to companies in Hucknall asking for monetary donations or raffle prize donations.

There have been generous responses from Tesco, Wilko and local business Mrs C's Vintage Tea Room.

Town centre bar and restaurant 'The Cowshed' has also, unprompted, started collecting funds for the cause.

Another piece of unexpected generosity came from Hucknall's Specsavers branch who donated the money raised by the Dancing Grannies on the day of the food festival.

The conservative estimate is that the cinema has raised roughly a third of their target already.

Any businesses wishing to contribute to the cause should contact the cinema via email on [email protected].