A new defibrillator has been installed at Basildon Sporting Village, funded by a charity netball tournament held in memory of a long-time customer.
Yvonne Nash was a familiar face at Basildon Sporting Village, where she was a keen player of walking netball for many years.
She suffered a cardiac arrest and sadly passed away in October 2024, a loss that came as a huge shock to her family, friends and all those who knew her.
To honour her mother's memory, Yvonne's daughter Michelle Sartain organised a charity netball tournament at Basildon Sporting Village on Saturday 20 June.
The event was a huge success, bringing together 24 teams with around 250 participants in total - along with more than 100 supporters.
The tournament raised an impressive £2,646. Part of the money went towards an additional defibrillator for the leisure centre, with the rest split between the Essex Heart Fund and Sudden
Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS) UK.
The new defibrillator is now in place outside netball court 7 at Basildon Sporting Village. Two further defibrillators are also available inside the venue, meaning the site now has three in total. All are registered on The Circuit, the national defibrillator network, meaning they can be quickly located by members of the public or emergency services in the event of an emergency.
Michelle said: “I wanted to organise a netball tournament in my mum's name because netball was something she loved, and it feels like a meaningful way to honour her memory. She brought people together, always encouraged others, and had such a positive impact on those around her. It's also a way to keep her legacy alive, share stories about her, and hopefully make a positive difference while remembering someone who meant so much to us all.
“Seeing so many people come together to support the tournament meant more than I can put into words. It was emotional knowing that so many people had taken the time to be there, not just to play netball or raise money, but to remember my mum and celebrate her life.
“While nothing can ever bring my mum back, knowing that the money raised in her memory has funded a defibrillator means her legacy is helping to save lives. It’s comforting to know that something positive has come from such a difficult loss.
“If that defibrillator is ever needed and helps save even one person, then everything we did to organise the tournament will have been worth it.”
Dan Humphries, Area Contract Manager at Everyone Active, said: “Having quick access to a defibrillator can make a real difference in an emergency, so we're really proud to have this new equipment in place at Basildon Sporting Village.
“Michelle's fundraising efforts, not just for this defibrillator but for the wider work of the Essex Heart Fund and SADS UK, are a fantastic example of the difference one person's determination can make to a whole community. Our thanks go to Michelle and everyone who took part in and supported the tournament.”
Cllr Danny Lawrence, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Youth, said: "Basildon Sporting Village has always been about bringing people together through sport, and it's inspiring to see our community come together in Yvonne's memory. Michelle and everyone involved in organising the tournament have created a lasting legacy that will help protect people using the centre for years to come. This new defibrillator is a fitting tribute to Yvonne and a reminder of the incredible impact that community spirit can have."
Cllr Terri Sargent, Cabinet Member for Health and Inclusion, said: "Every additional defibrillator in our community has the potential to save lives, and ensuring this vital equipment is readily available is an important step in improving public health. I would like to thank Michelle, everyone who took part in the fundraising tournament and all those who supported it. Their generosity has not only honoured Yvonne's memory but has also made Basildon Sporting Village an even safer place for everyone."