Fundraiser sees lifesaving defibrillator installed in park following death of local man

Article date: 30 November 2023

Carl Foster from West Park died in April this year aged 46, after suffering a cardiac arrest while out with friends and colleagues.

CPR and use of defibrillators on site at Knowsley Safari Park allowed paramedics to arrive in time, but Carl sadly passed days later in hospital. 

Carl's long-time close friend Gary Ward was among those with him on the day he suffered the cardiac arrest. 

Remembering that time, Gary spoke of the way Carl had shown no signs of ill-health and the tragedy of his passing at a young age. 

In honour of Carl's life, Gary and Carl's family including wife Georgina, set up a Just Giving page with the goal of funding a public access defibrillator for the local community. An initial target of £1,500 was quickly met with £2,305 raised to date. 

The defibrillator was recently installed outside the Boathouse Café in Taylor Park, supported by St Helens Borough Council, where Carl would often take his dog Ruby. 

A second public access defibrillator has been installed in Victoria Park, funded by Windle ward councillors' improvement fund. 

Gary said: "Carl loved helping people, so although we were and are to this day all grieving, we decided to honour his memory, with Carl continuing to help others, and it's great to see the defibrillator now installed.  

"He was a really energetic person, running his dog Ruby to his local park, we'd even climbed Mount Kilimanjaro together. His passing came as such a shock to all of us, being active and young as he was.  

"Carl lived his life to the full, surrounded by those he loved the most, his wife, family, friends and dog. His compassion, kindness and sense of adventure will be missed for many years to come. And Carl's legacy of generosity continues through the gift of organ donation following his sad passing." 

Councillor Andy Bowden, St Helens Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Climate Change, said: 

"Hearing his family and friends speak about him, it's clear that Carl was a kind and spirited man, who loved and was loved by many. We're proud to be able to support those close to Carl in making a lasting contribution to Taylor Park and the community in his memory, while our colleagues in Windle have been inspired to extend this to Victoria Park. Thank you to everyone in the community who kindly donated to the fundraiser." 

The fundraiser remains open with the possibility of funding another public access defibrillator. To donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/fozsdefib.