A dedicated fundraiser who recently founded a defibrillator charity has been bowled over by public support after organising the first public event for her new venture.  

Bury Times: Training before the big event Training before the big event (Image: Public)

Sara Jones, founder of charity Restart the Heart, has thanked supporters after organising a white collar boxing event at the Village Hotel in Bury on Saturday, April 1 which sold out within a week.

She said: “It’s been overwhelming and I am kicking myself now for not putting on more tickets, I didn’t think it would be this popular.  

Bury Times: (Left to right) Cllr Rydeheard, Natalie from Jersey Girls, Sara Jones, Andrew Luxton, David McNally from NWAS (Left to right) Cllr Rydeheard, Natalie from Jersey Girls, Sara Jones, Andrew Luxton, David McNally from NWAS (Image: Public)

“The boxers have been in training as some of them had never even worn boxing gloves outside maybe boxercise or at the gym but they are all so amazing for getting invoved." 

Hoping to raise a good amount of money from the event, Sara said it isn't her first fundraiser, but it will be the first event for her newly established charity.

Bury Times: Training before the big event Training before the big event (Image: Public)

She said: “In 2021, I started to raise money to buy more defibrillators in Ramsbottom having watched footballer Christian Erickson suffer a cardiac arrest on the pitch (for Denmark in the Euros). 

“My first fundraiser raised a significant amount of money and the second raised enough to buy and install 12 defibrillators.

Bury Times: (Left to right) Andrew Luxton, John Ainscoe, Owner of Summerseat Garden Centre, Sara Jones, Cllr Khalid, David McNally from NWAS and Cllr Rydeheard(Left to right) Andrew Luxton, John Ainscoe, Owner of Summerseat Garden Centre, Sara Jones, Cllr Khalid, David McNally from NWAS and Cllr Rydeheard (Image: Public)

“After these events and the generous support from the community, local businesses and the never-ending support from Ramsbottom Rotary club, two more events raised enough money to purchase a further 16 defibrillators giving an amazing total of 28 defibrillators.” 

Bury Times: Training for the big event Training for the big event (Image: Public)Having gained expertise from her work in Ramsbottom, Sara said she wanted to "reach further afield" and made the decision to start an independent charity with a wider scope. 

Having sold out of tickets within a week of going live, it is hoped that the fundraiser will be beneficial in the installation of more defibs across the borough.  

Read more: BAME Project delivers lifesaving skills in First Aid scheme

Bury Times: (Left to right) David McNally from NWAS, Andrew Luxton, Landlord of the Lamb, Sara Jones, and Cllr Rydeheard(Left to right) David McNally from NWAS, Andrew Luxton, Landlord of the Lamb, Sara Jones, and Cllr Rydeheard (Image: Public)

Sara thanked everyone who has donated, no matter how much "because your supporting is literally lifesaving". 

Read more: Bleed kits fitted on Silver Street in Bury to help save lives

Bury Times: (Left to right) Cllr Rydeheard, David McNally, Nigel Hill from Woodbank CC, Sara Jones and Andrew Luxton(Left to right) Cllr Rydeheard, David McNally, Nigel Hill from Woodbank CC, Sara Jones and Andrew Luxton (Image: Public)

Read more: 'It's time to give something back': Charity champion organises black tie ball

The event has been sponsored by The Stables Country Hotel, Peach first aid,
Summerseat Garden Centre, Cocklestorm, Ism, Bury FC, Pt hub, INX heywood, Cosalea at the Hamers Arms, Stephen Round, James Daly, Spectrum, Dunster's farm. 

The main sponsor for the night will be Crown Oil.

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