Gillys story

Laura West 29 Forever.

A bright cheerful inspiring 29 year old woman who had a zest for life. She brought so much inspiration to everyone who met her. The most contagious laugh and gorgeous smile.

She was a determined soul with a beautiful personality, a strong spirit, and didn’t allow much to deter her.

She grew up enjoying many activities with her two brothers, from rugby, football, tag rugby, track and field sports, winning many awards and certificates, and making many friends along the way. As a mum, I always encouraged them all to be outdoors and to enjoy many sports, and to be involved in activities and after school clubs and summer clubs.

Laura went on to enjoy acting being part of a drama club in school then she enrolled for 3 years at college for performing arts and drama before having the desire to challenge herself by taking the leap to join the army where she decided her caring nature would be best applied by wanting to become a medic. This in turn changed her mind in the years to come and she wanted to be a nurse, but a tragic event took place for Laura in April 2021.

Laura had wanted to get back into a fitness regime, and she had attended her swimming session, but unfortunately suffered a cardiac arrest and sadly passed away.

But recently we learned that if a defibrillator had been used on Laura at the time of her cardiac arrest, Laura would still be here today. This is so devastating to know, but it also shows just how important the use of a defibrillator is at the time of a cardiac arrest, and how quick you need to act on a person to give them a chance of survival.

Laura was found to have a condition know as ARVC Arrhythmogenic

Right Ventricular cardiomyopathy.

This is generally found in the young and when your heart is under exertion ! This leads to a cardiac arrest. Only the use of a defibrillator within quick time will save a life !

Since Laura passed away As her mum, I have been raising awareness regarding heart issues and the importance of not ignoring chest pain when exercising, or at Rest!

A go fund me page raised money towards memory benches to have them put in place for people to remember Laura by, and I sold Candles, t shirts, hoodies, etc.

I also raised money for the British Heart Foundation for my birthday just after Laura passed away, as I didn’t want to celebrate my birthday I just wanted to focus on raising money and awareness to different causes.

Wyre and fylde defibrillator fund raising are raising money for life saving pieces of equipment for Public access Defibrillators to be placed around the community to help save lives. I joined them when I heard about their first fundraise in June 2021, as it was close to my heart, and I approached Gillian Gallagher at Dollys kiosk in Fleetwood, and Helen Crane the founder, and here we are

40 units later from Fleetwood, Poulton

Thornton- Cleveleys, to over Wyre and knott end.

We are continually fundraising for the upkeep of the units as the pads and batteries need to be replaced. Especially each time the pads are used.

As a mother who has lost a precious daughter, you never come to terms with your loss. I still don’t feel I have grieved yet either. I am just focused on helping others. I am studying a degree in psychology, I am now qualified in CBT and counselling, also suicide self harm and awareness and I am a volunteer for SHOUT.

I started a grief awareness group for our local community last year as I felt I had nowhere to turn to. I just wanted to help others in the same position as me. You can have people around you but still feel alone!