Residents on St Mary's Island have rallied round to raise money for a defibrillator after a dad suffered three heart attacks and another died at the age of 48.

DJ Richard Dannaher started a fundraising campaign last year after his friend nearly passed away and had to be resuscitated three times.

He held events at their local – the Ship and Trades –and then when lockdown put an end to going out, he started doing online party nights.

As the money came in towards the £1,400 target, another mate heard about the appeal and agreed to meet the remainder needed to the tune of about £500.

Businessman Mark Taylor, who lives on the island and runs a building company, felt moved to donate after the father of three of his employees suddenly died at their Chatham home.

Richard, 41, of Little Victory Mount, admitted to being shocked when Kemal Israrlar, 54, a previously fit dad to Jack, 12, and Alex, eight, stopped breathing three times in about half-an-hour last July. His partner, Elaine Robinson, took him to Medway Maritime Hospital where doctors saved his life.

He was then taken to William Harvey Hospital, Ashford , and a month later had a heart transplant at St Thomas' Hospital, London.

The defibrillator has been installed in the car park near the pub next to a plaque with the words: "We danced, we raised a glass, we raised funds to install this lifesaving device."

Father-of-three Richard said: "Let's hope we don't have to use it, but if it saves one life that will be amazing.

"It's important to raise awareness how this can happen to anyone and without warning."

Elaine, 45, of Henrietta Chase, said: "The whole episode was traumatic. One minute Kemal was complaining of indigestion, the next he was fighting for his life.

"There should be more of these, especially in schools and sports centres. It could mean the difference between life and death."

Kemal has made a good recovery and has returned to work as a self-employed carpenter.

Mr Taylor, managing director of Applefields, based at Chatham Historic Dockyard, decided to make his contribution after Nick Bradley, the father of three of his staff Steve, Scott, and Shaun, died suddenly from the attack about 18 months ago.

He said: "It was an eye-opener for me because we are about the same age."

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