By Adam Woodward

Copyright euroweeklynews

On Wednesday, September 24, Pals Bar in El Zoco, Calahonda, hosted a lively fundraising night that brought the community together for a vital cause: the Save a Life (SAL) campaign.

The initiative, spearheaded by local resident Gerry Hannam, has the objective of installing defibrillators at strategic points across the urbanisation, including Pals Bar, to ensure rapid response in cardiac emergencies. The event was a resounding success, with the campaign announcing it has raised an impressive €4,767.56 in just under two months.

This remarkable sum is enough to purchase two brand-new defibrillators, each costing approximately €2,000, with funds already accumulating toward a third. Gerry Hannam, the driving force behind SAL, expressed his gratitude, saying, “Your generosity, kindness, and support have made this possible, and we honestly can’t thank you enough.” He encouraged continued donations via the campaign’s payment link, saying, “Every little bit makes a huge difference — and you lot are amazing!”

The Save a Life campaign was born from a deeply personal experience. Last Christmas, while walking across Waterloo Bridge in London, Gerry suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. His life was saved by the quick actions of an off-duty paramedic who performed CPR and a nearby defibrillator that restarted his heart. This life-changing moment inspired Gerry and his family to launch SAL upon returning to Spain, with a mission to raise awareness and provide access to defibrillators across Calahonda and the Costa del Sol.

The need for such equipment is undeniable. A defibrillator at the Finca Naundrup sports club in Calahonda has already saved the life of a man playing padel, proving the critical role these devices play. Safe and easy to use, defibrillators can be the difference between life and death in a medical emergency. Next time, it could be you or one of your loved ones.

The event featured singer Ben James as well as Harvey James hosting the evening. There were also some great raffle prizes won.

The SAL campaign continues to rally community support, urging residents to spread the word and contribute to placing more life-saving technology in public spaces. With two defibrillators secured and a third within reach, Calahonda is becoming a safer place, thanks to the generosity and unity of its residents.

For those inspired to help, donations can be made at pay.sumup.com. Together, the community can ensure that no one faces a cardiac emergency without hope.