A new defibrillator has been unveiled at a Salford pre-school in memory of two men who died after suffering cardiac arrests.
Friends, family and campaigners flocked to Mice to Meet You Day Nursery in Little Hulton on 14 July to remember the lives of Ben Morrison, who passed away at the age of 33, having suffered a cardiac arrest after going to the gym, and Branigan Smith, who died overseas at only 21.
Ben’s family believe access to a defibrillator could have saved his life and have since launched a campaign to install life-saving devices across the region in the hope of preventing other families from going through the same heartbreak.
The latest installation at the pre-school on Haysbrook Avenue is the fourth publicly accessible defibrillator to be fitted as part of a project led by Community Heart Heroes and Walkden in Bloom.
Councillor Lewis Croden said: “I was honoured to be invited to the unveiling of the defibrillator at Mice to Meet You Day Nursery.
“Meeting Branigan’s family and seeing the commemorative plaque in his memory was deeply moving. It is a wonderful tribute to Branigan and a lasting legacy that could help save lives in the future.”
Ruth, a popular member of Little Hulton Cricket Club, was at the heart of the project alongside Ben’s mother, Georgina Morrison, and local campaigner Paul Whitelegg.
She sadly passed away a month before the latest defibrillator was installed.
Her friends said her “tireless fundraising helped turn an idea into reality,” adding that she has left “a legacy that will continue saving lives for years to come.”
Pre-school owner Susan Hankin generously offered her premises as the location for the device and has committed to maintaining it, ensuring it remains available to the community 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Additional support came from Kenny Waste Management, alongside fundraising efforts from Little Hulton Cricket Club and Walkden in Bloom.
Meanwhile, Branigan’s mother Lisa Heald attended the event alongside his grandfather Michael Thomas, sister Daisy Smith, and Hays Travel manager Erica Farmer.
A plaque was unveiled in Branigan’s name as children from the nursery presented flowers to Lisa, Georgina, and Susan.
“It was so lovely to meet everyone on such an emotional day,” said Lisa.
Organisers gave thanks to Bunches Floral Design for donating flowers, Lucy from Tesco for refreshments, and Sandra from Walkden in Bloom for arranging the plaque.
With four defibrillators now installed in the area, campaigners in Walkden and Little Hulton say they have created “a lasting legacy built with love and one that could save countless lives in the years ahead.”
