Shrine of St Jude unveils lifesaving defibrillator donated by WI

Yesterday, the Mayor of Faversham, Alison Reynolds, with the local WI President, Susi Du Toit, (pictured) unveiled a new defibrillator at the National Shrine of Saint Jude.

The WI raised the money through selling crafts, cake and many cuppas, so that they could donate the defibrillator to the Shrine and town of Faversham. The defibrillator will be accessible to the people of Faversham 24 hours a day, and also to the thousands of pilgrims who come from all over the world to visit the Shrine and Parish in Faversham.

According to Saint John's Ambulance: "A cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. A person's chance of survival falls by about 10% for each minute that passes without defibrillation."

On the day of the unveiling, Susi Du Toit said: "I am so proud of the Faversham Gunpowder WI in raising the money for such an important life-saving device. The Shrine of Saint Jude is situated in Tanners Street and we want people to know it is here now."

Mr Matt Betts, Development Manager at the Shrine, said: "The Faversham Gunpowder WI should be rightly proud of their achievement in raising the money for the defibrillator - what a great achievement. I would like to thank the WI for choosing to place it here so that all of the town can access it in an emergency".

The National Shrine of Saint Jude at Faversham in Kent, England, is served by the Carmelite Friars. A major centre of pilgrimage and prayer, it attracts thousands of pilgrims every year, especially around the feast of Saint Jude on 28th October.

The British Province of Carmelites has some 25 communities of friars, sisters and lay people spread across England, Scotland and Wales. The Carmelites are one of the most ancient religious orders of the Roman Catholic Church, first arriving in Britain in 1242. The Order is engaged in many different forms of ministry, including work in parishes, retreat centres, prisons, ecumenical and interfaith projects, justice and peace promotion, publishing, counselling, teaching, and spiritual direction.

Read more about the National Shrine of Saint Jude: www.stjudeshrine.org.uk.