A SHOEBURY businessman is set to embark on a fundraising challenge in a bid to get a heart defibrillator installed on a bustling retail road.

Dave Winship and his wife have run The Card Shop, on West Road, for two years.

In September, the 41-year-old is set to hike 45 miles from the British Heart Foundation’s London headquarters to his store to raise money to buy and install a heart defibrillator for use of shoppers and residents.

Mr Winship said: “I see lots of heart defibrillators around, but I haven’t seen any in West Road.

“A defibrillator is a vital and lifesaving price of equipment, and I feel it’s incredibly important we have one installed.

“The aim is to walk from the London headquarters of the British Heart Foundation to our shop The Card Shop, which is about 45 miles and should take around 16 hours.

“I’ve been training for about two weeks now from the store, up to Rayleigh Weir and back again, which is just under 19 miles.”

Since launching a Crowdfunder page two weeks ago, £1,352 has been raised of his £1,800 target, meaning he is 75% of the way there.

The card shop owner has also received £100 in cash donations.

Reacting to the support and donations, he said: “I only started two weeks ago, and it’s been amazing, and I’m really chuffed with everyone getting behind me and showing their support to do something good for the community.

“The donations from people have been great, and I hope we’ll be able to buy the heart defibrillator and get it installed on West Road.”

Defibrillators, which give a high-energy electric shock to the heart of someone who is in cardiac arrest, are typically located in workplaces and public spaces.

If someone is seen having a cardiac arrest, it is important to dial 999, start CPR and get someone to find a defibrillator.

Emergency operators can advise on where the nearest defibrillator is if unsure.

To donate to Mr Winship’s crowdfunder, click here.

To learn more on how and when to use a defibrillator, click here.