Life-saving defibrillators installed in memory of popular teacher
By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor
Two life-saving defibrillators have been installed in memory of a popular teacher who died suddenly.
Beverley resident and retired secondary school teacher Keith Wood died unexpectedly from heart-related problems on December 25, 2022, aged 68.
Eleven of his family and friends organised and completed a 51-mile walk from York Minster to Beverley Minster over three days in September, along the Minster Way, raising £10,000.
Now, £7,152 has been spent on defibrillators and their associated cabinets, with one installed at the Angel pub in Beverley and a second at the Lord Nelson pub in the town.
Both are situated on external walls of the pubs, ensuring they can be accessed by the community any time. They have also been registered on a central defibrillator database where a code for each cabinet will be provided for access when required.
A third defibrillator location in Beverley has yet to be decided and the fourth defibrillator will potentially be installed in Hessle, where Keith lived with his wife Teresa and children Katy and Mark for many years.
MUCH-LOVED: Keith Wood
In addition, £1,000 has been donated to Pancreatic Cancer UK in memory of Keith’s sister, Ann, who passed away in August this year and £1,000 has been donated to the Daniel Wilkinson Foundation.
A further £500 has been donated to Hessle Community Centre towards fundraising for its new minibus after the group donated its existing minibus to the team as a support vehicle for two days of the walk.
The remainder of the money, which includes final pledges still being collected, will be used for required ongoing maintenance for the first two defibrillators and replacement pads for the equipment once used.
Keith’s daughter Katy, 38, who was part of the walking team, said: “To say we’re overwhelmed by the response to dad’s walk is an understatement.
“We set out to raise £2,000 and managed to raise £10,000, which has enabled us to buy four defibrillators rather than one or two, as well as making substantial donations to causes which would have been close to dad’s heart.
“It was an amazing team effort, especially with support from my mum and great family friend Don Watson, who were our support crew for the weekend.
INSTALLED: The defibrillator at the Angel pub
“While it was too late for a defibrillator to save dad, it brings us some comfort to know that these life-saving pieces of equipment could save the lives of others one day. That’s a wonderful legacy and a gift to two communities which dad really loved.
“We’d like to thank everyone who supported us, sponsored us and followed our progress. It was a brilliant challenge in memory of a truly brilliant man who was loved by all who met him.”
A raffle, including prizes donated by friends and local businesses, was also held at the Angel pub on the team’s return to add to the fundraising total. Timpson in Beverley also provided a plaque for each defibrillator, free of charge, in memory of Keith.
Keith’s wife Teresa, 62, said: “I am so incredibly proud of everyone involved in Keith’s Memorial Walk.
“To have two of the four the defibrillators installed in time for Christmas Day – the first anniversary of Keith’s death – is nothing short of remarkable and testament to the hard work of the whole team.
“Keith would have been so proud of this, especially knowing how the defibrillators could save lives in the future. Keith loved visiting friends at the Angel and the Lord Nelson, so it’s very fitting and special that they are located at these pubs.”
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