Defibrillator unveiled at pub in memory of 'loving' man
A life-saving defibrillator has been installed in a Black Country pub – in memory of a young man who died from an undiagnosed heart condition in 2015.
Alex Brown, from East Park, Wolverhampton, died suddenly at the age of 25 in April 2015, after suffering from a fatal cardiac arrest following an undiagnosed heart condition.
Since his passing, his family and friends have been tirelessly raising funds to pay for heart screening for young people aged between 14 and 35, through the national charity Cardiac Risk in the Young.
As well as this, they want to install public access defibrillators in memorable places to Alex around the West Midlands.
Following a series of fundraising events, a defibrillator has been installed at the Four Ways Pub in Portway Hill, Rowley Regis.
His sister, Rachel Dingle, has been been helping lead the fundraising campaign.
She said: "Alex was loved by all, his laugh and sense of humour were infectious. He was fit, healthy and was perfectly fine on the day of his passing.
"Two people that Alex influenced are Tony Martin and Lizzy Hughes. They have both organised charity events with the aim of installing a public access defibrillator in their local community.
"Lizzy organised two fashion shows at the local Rowley Hall Primary School and Tony will be organising his third annual football match this year in memory of Alex.
"All funds raised at these events have enabled a defibrillator to be installed at the Four Ways Pub."
Alex's big sister has been involved in raising money for a further nine public defibrillators across the West Midlands.
And recently hosted the families first heart screening event in Wolverhampton.
A total of100 young people were screened on the day with eight young people being asked to come back for further testing in 12 months – one of which needed immediate investigations into heart abnormalities.
Rachel added: "We can never bring Alex back but we can hope that we can leave the lasting legacy he deserves.
"But also to selflessly save the lives of both young and old people who suffer cardiac arrests and heart attacks and stop families suffering the heartache his family live with everyday."
