HELMET Hair has now raised enough money for the provision of two defibrillator machines in Monmouth – one for Church Street and another close to Monnow Bridge.

The hairdressers in Church Street have wanted a defibrillator since the collapse of a pedestrian in 2014 and Darren Childs has been actively raising money for a machine to be placed in his shop doorway, raising £2,300 so far.

Boosted by a £650 donation from the joint school event, Monmouth’s Got Talent (MGT), Darren has now achieved his aim and more.

“We have enough money for two machines and Mark Parker of Handyman House has kindly allowed us to put one there,” he explained.

“We have achieved this target thanks to the generosity of members of the public, customers of Santander and the terrific donation from the talent competition, and we will continue to raise money for even more machines.”

Katie Belgarnie, representing the MGT committee, said that her mother had a cardiac arrest and was saved by a defibrillator. It was this story that inspired the group to donate £650 of the money they raised at the talent competition.

Darren has trained his staff in the use of the machine and he hopes adjacent businesses will also make sure one of their staff is competent to use such a device.

If you want to donate, there is a collection box at Helmet Hair. Alternatively a bank account has also been set up at Santander.

To put money into the account, drop into the bank on Agincourt Square, Monmouth, and quote “Monmouth Defib”.