Gloucestershire family celebrates father’s legacy with new defibrillators
The family say they want to give other families the chance they got.
A Gloucestershire family is celebrating the life of their father and husband Dai Kinman, by raising funds for defibrillators throughout the community.
After Dai Kinman suffered a heart attack in his 40’s in 1999, a defibrillator gave him 26 more years with his family, allowing him to meet and enjoy time with his grandchildren.
Sadly, Dai passed away last summer, but his legacy continues through the work of his family.
Rhian Newman, Dai’s daughter, expressed how proud her father would be of the initiative: "Dad would be absolutely over the moon that something so positive could come from something so challenging for all of us."
The Kinman family collaborated with Public Hearts, a local charity, to raise enough money for defibrillators.
Initially, the plan was to fund one device, but they ultimately gathered resources for four defibrillators and cabinets.
Rhian said: "We felt like we wanted to give something back and be positive."
Donations replaced flowers at Dai’s funeral, allowing the family to make a significant contribution to heart health in Gloucestershire.
On what would have been Dai’s 70th birthday the family officially opened a defibrillator in his honour at Stroud Community Fire Station.
The family say the fire station’s defibrillator, numbered 111, is a fitting tribute, reflecting emergency numbers.
Rhian Newman says she hopes the initiative offers peace of mind: "If we can help someone out on their worst day, then it just makes one hell of a lot of difference."
The family say they want to keep raising awareness for heart health and defibrillator accessibility while working with Public Hearts.