After one of their number suffered a heart attack last Christmas, three members of Axe Cliff Golf Club decided that the club would benefit from its own defibrillator to ensure that members were safer whilst at the club and on the course.  

Peter Petherbridge, Mike Wickins and Gerry Binmore set about raising funds through the summer months to acquire this piece of equipment, which has recently been purchased and installed at the club. 

A number of events were held through June, July and August, including a quiz night, Seniors’ golf competitions, raffles and a silent auction of golf vouchers at ten south-west clubs. Carole Wickins and Anne Binmore undertook a 20-mile sponsored walk around East Devon.  

The Ladies Section at the club made a significant donation to the cause, as did other members. One of the large grass bunkers on the course became "the money pit", where anyone who landed in the bunker was asked to donate £1 towards funds. 

Meanwhile, local businesses were approached for help. As a result, Re:Store Axe Valley CIC (Community Interest Company) and WBW Solicitors made major contributions to our cause. Other local firms provided goods and services, which were used as draw prizes. These came from Tesco, Taste of Devon Butchers, Colyford Butchers, Seaton Fish Bar and Ragini Restaurant. 

In total, a sum of £3,000 was raised and, as well as the defibrillator, this paid for a training course for members, run by advisor Melvyn Baldock@section19training.co. 

The intention was to involve as many club members as possible in this enterprise and this certainly proved to be the case. Not least were the Seniors’ Captain, David Lacey, who facilitated events and the Seniors’ Treasurer, Bill Polley, who looked after the finances, whilst the staff at the club, Alex, Tom, Andy, Harry and Dan, made sure things ran smoothly.  

The defibrillator has been positioned to allow public access, as the South West Coast Path runs through the club and so the thousands of walkers who use the path, during the year, will have the benefit of this facility as well.