A MAN whose friend died of a heart attack has described it as a “wake up call” to improve his own health - as he launched a campaign for new defibrillators.
Andrew Simmons told how his pal fell ill in Boundary Road, Portslade, and says that the nearest defibrillator was a 10 minute walk away.
Paul Sullivan, who was shopping just before Christmas, was taken to hospital but doctors were unable to save him.
The 60-year-old, who had recently retired, was described by friends as a “good character” and “massive Brighton fan”.
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Andrew says the tragedy has made him reconsider his lifestyle after having health problems of his own in the past, including a heart attack.
The 48-year-old said: “It was a bit of a wake-up call because I’m overweight so I want to do the walk for myself and to lose weight.
“I have had a heart attack before, I have high blood pressure, I’m diabetic so I just thought doing that it will give me a chance to raise some money and become a bit more healthy."
The two friends met in the pub around 20 years ago and Paul would visit Andrew in Ibiza, where he worked.
Andrew, from Hangleton, plans to walk two miles a day for the whole of January, more than 60 miles in total.
He hopes to improve his own health and raise enough money for two defibrillators - with Paul's wife Sharon choosing where one will go.
Andrew says the other one would go outside Oscar's On The Green convenience store in Hangleton Way.
His fundraiser has a target of £1,000 and has already raised £450 in just a few days.
Andrew said: “I decided to raise money when I found out they had to walk about 10 minutes to find a defibrillator in Boundary Road.
“I thought maybe if I can raise money for one or two, I want to put one in Hangleton outside Oscar’s newsagents and I want to let his wife Sharon choose where to put one."
For more information on Andrew's fundraising effort, visit his JustGiving page.
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