Care home staff hit the road to buy life saving defibrillator

Carers at Cramlington House, in the town's Bassington Avenue, raised the cash – raised the cash by completing a sponsored walk from the home to Blyth Beach. The dementia‑specialist team say they walked the full seven‑mile route in honour of the residents they support and the wider Northumberland community they serve.

Their aim was to ensure Cramlington House has immediate access to the lifesaving equipment, providing reassurance for residents, families, staff, and visitors. The fundraising effort received backing from families, colleagues, and local residents – and included £280 raised by nine-year-old Charlotte Lyall, niece of senior carer Bronia Stephenson, who also completed the walk.

Cramlington House is part of the family-run Craig Healthcare group.

Managing director, Lucy Craig, said she was “delighted and proud” at what the team from Cramlington House have achieved and says it will directly benefit the people they care for every day. She said: “This walk reflects everything our carers stand for - compassion, commitment, and community. “Their determination to bring a defibrillator to Cramlington House shows just how deeply they care about resident wellbeing and we are all incredibly proud of their achievement.” Craig Healthcare, which has been providing dementia care in the North East for more than 20 years and operates three specialist homes – Cramlington House, Holywell House Care Centre, and West Farm Care Centre. The new defibrillator is now installed at Cramlington House, strengthening the home’s emergency preparedness and adding an important safety resource for residents, staff, and visitors.