Barn Owl regulars raise cash for new defibrillator after sad death

Drinkers at the Barn Owl dug deep at the pub’s recent charity night on Saturday, April 27, raising funds for a piece of kit which can mean the difference between life and death when someone has a heart attack.

Barnton did have a defibrillator when the customer took ill just outside the pub at Christmas 2023, but due to lack of maintenance, it was no longer working.

Moved to act, Ben Rathbone, a Tata Chemicals worker and well-known face at the Barn Owl, approached the British Heart Foundation (BHF) in January for a new defibrillator, but in the meantime, began organising a charity night so the pub could buy its own.

Charity night organiser, Ben Rathbone (left) with keen helper and regular-to-be, Poppy Morrey (Image: Charlie Parkes)

The 26-year-old worked hard to make the event a success, and at the end of the night, was stunned to discover he’d more than doubled his £500 fundraising target.  

He said: “I was shocked by how much we raised. I was hoping for about £500, if we were lucky, but when I counted the take, there was more than £1,300.

Barnton-based singer songwriter, Jack Arnold, have his services for the evening free of charge (Image: Charlie Parkes)

“It was just brilliant. Literally everyone must have put their hand in their pocket. 

“I approached a lot of companies trying to get a new defibrillator donated. When we didn’t have much luck, we approached BHF.

“We didn’t hear back from them for a while either, so we decided to do this charity night.

Barn Owl fixture, Dennis Shannon, aka DJ Den, also donated his services (Image: Charlie Parkes)

“Then at the end of March, we got a free defibrillator from the BHF, but decided to go ahead with the charity night anyway.

“We’ll use the money for a second one. The more we can get, the more lives we save. It’s as simple as that really.”

The new defibrillator is for the use of the whole Barnton community (Image: Charlie Parkes)

The event included music from Barnton-based singer songwriter, Jack Arnold, who performed free of charge, plus tunes from Dennis Shannon, aka DJ Den, who’s a regular fixture at the Barn Owl.

There was also an open the box competition, and a raffle with prises donated by the community.

Barn Owl barman, social media guru, and Priestley College student, Charlie Parkes, said: “We have a fantastic community here at the Barn Owl.

“We knew from the start an event like this would draw in people who were willing to put their hands in their pockets to help improve their community.

“Some of the regulars brought along their friends and family, which all helped a lot.

“It’s not just a Barn Own thing - it’s a whole community. It’s for everyone’s benefit.

“We knew we could do it, and we’re planning to do it again for other good causes.”