In 2016, Sussex Heart Charity, the county’s largest Cardiac Care Charity, awarded the Crawley Wellbeing Team and the Crawley Bowls and Croquet Development Group five Cardiac Science g5 Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), including one located at Southgate Bowls Club which went missing earlier this month.

AEDs are emergency life-saving devices that can be used by anyone to help restart the heart when sudden cardiac arrest strikes. The device is fully portable and gives the heart an electrical charge to establish a regular heartbeat.

Sussex Heart Charity are currently fundraising to replace the stolen device.

Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Councillor Chris Mullins, said:

“This is very sad news, whoever has stolen this device has potentially put lives at risk.

“The Sussex Heart Charity have been very generous in providing these devices and it is a terrible shame that one or two people have decided to take advantage of that generosity. I would encourage anyone who may know anything about the whereabouts of the device, to get in touch.”

Continuing this, Chief Executive of Sussex Heart Charity, Terry Ayres said;

“We at the Sussex Heart Charity are very sad when one of these devices is taken. The defibrillators, if needed, will save someone’s life. Stealing these could potentially steal a life. “

If you know anything regarding the stolen AED, please contact 101, quoting crime reference number: 47180186385

To contribute to replacing the stolen AED people can donate by texting AEDS00 and the amount to 70070 or donate online www.sussexheartcharity.org or by cheque to The Sussex Heart Charity, Southpoint, 8 Paston Place, Brighton, BN2 1HA