<div>Every minute counts when someone suffers a cardiac arrest.
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<div>This appeal began with a deeply personal experience.
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<div>Almost ten years ago, when he was just 21 years old, <strong>Black Tom resident Jake Fordham </strong>suffered a cardiac arrest at home after becoming ill with the flu. At the time, he didn't know he had an underlying heart condition.
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<div>After eight shocks from the ambulance crew, Jake's heart restarted. As Jake says, "I was very lucky that the ambulance arrived in time and that the paramedics were there, but not everyone is as lucky as that."
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<div>Jake's experience inspired the idea of installing a <strong>24/7 publicly accessible defibrillator outside <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheBurnabyArmsBedford/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Burnaby Arms</a></strong>, right in the heart of Black Tom, Bedford.
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<div>Since then, the response from the community has been incredible.
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<div>What started as one person's idea has grown into a true community effort, with local residents, businesses and volunteers organising a wide range of fundraising events and activities.
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<div><strong>So far, we've organised and supported:</strong>
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<li><strong>Art with Heart Summer Exhibition</strong> (22 July to 6 September 2026) featuring local artists, with proceeds supporting the appeal at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheBurnabyArmsBedford/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Burnaby Arms</a>.
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<li><strong>Community fundraising mugs</strong>, available to buy at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheBurnabyArmsBedford/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Burnaby Arms</a>, with proceeds going towards the defibrillator fund.
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<li><strong>Music Fest</strong> (15 August 2026) at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ForestersArmsBedford/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Foresters Arms</a>, bringing the community together to raise funds.
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<li><strong>Darts Marathon</strong> (22 August 2026) at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheBurnabyArmsBedford/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Burnaby Arms</a>.
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<li><strong>Bedford Half Marathon</strong>, with one of our supporters running to raise funds for the appeal.
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<li><strong>Black Tom Community Fundraising Day</strong> (29 August 2026), including the <a href="https://fb.me/e/6ksefvOA8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jumble Trail</a>, Rounders in Bedford Park, BBQ and Rock 'n' Bingo at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheBurnabyArmsBedford/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Burnaby Arms</a>.
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<li><strong>The Dogs of Black Tom 2027 charity calendar</strong>, available to pre-order from 29 August 2026 at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheBurnabyArmsBedford/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Burnaby Arms</a>.
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<div>Every event, every mug sold and every donation brings us one step closer.
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<div>A publicly accessible defibrillator could make a life-saving difference while waiting for emergency services to arrive. Our aim is to make sure that if someone in Black Tom ever needs one, it will be there.
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<div>If you'd like to support the appeal, any donation, no matter how big or small, will help us reach our goal.
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<div>If you're unable to donate, sharing this page with your friends, family and local community would mean just as much.
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<div><strong>Thank you for helping us make Black Tom a safer place.</strong>
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Katrina Allen

Paula Codling

Angus Shepherd

Anonymous

Ross Tuffin

Simon Barker

Shelley Line

Anna Harvey

Jeremy Keen

Arun Paul

Graham Hardman

Anna Warren

Esther Snelson

Jess Fordham

Shona Duffy

Ben Zanna

Bradley Moore

Jake Shiels

Help Fund a Community Defibrillator for Black Tom

Just £319£321£320£319£318£317 to go! Make an impact.

Help Fund a Community Defibrillator for Black Tom

Just £319 to go!
Make an impact.