A Congleton health café wants to erect a defibrillator in the heart of Congleton.

WILD & WILD - Healthy Café & Kitchen, of 2 Bridge Street, will install the life-saving electrical device this spring, and have launched a JustGiving page to help cover the costs.

While there are lots of defibrillators scattered around Congleton, remarkably, there is none on the west side of High Street, which is Congleton's busiest street in terms of footfall.

WILD & WILD Co-Owner April Wild (31), who in recent years found out she had a heart condition, came up with the idea after the increased media coverage of defibrillators in 2021.

"I was reading an article online, about a little boy who sadly passed away due to a cardiac arrest in school, and he didn't have a defibrillator nearby at the time," said April.

"I always thought that all schools would have that set up. And then it just got me thinking and I noticed in the news they were reporting on how many deaths there are on lives that could've been saved. The figures were in the hundreds of thousands per year. I was in shock.

"I thought because we're a vegan and health presence on the High Street in Congleton. I've got to go a step further.

"Congleton Town Council told me they tried to fundraise for it a year ago, because we have a few defibs around town, at the park and at the library. But the town council said they couldn't get the funds.

"So I thought with our following now, we've got over 11,000 followers on Instagram, and we've raised money for Visyon and mental health charities before, let's just rally our troops and try and fundraise."

"As soon as I mentioned the idea at our team meeting, all of our team are so keen and looking forward to receiving training."

All 19 of their staff members will be able to use the life-saving kit - should - heaven forbid - it be needed.

Regardless of whether the fundraising goal is met, the Congleton eatery and wellness business is going to cover the rest of the costs, and any other extra funds for the unit.

"It is £2,200 for the unit and to get it fitted," added April.

"And we are going to ensure all our team going forward are trained in case there is an emergency.

"We've seen things happened on the streets where ambulances have had to come down and people have fallen over, life's everyday emergencies, and I feel this is no different.

"I just want to do something extra for our community that people know that we are that port of call if needed - we are in right in the middle of the High Street (well technically Bridge Street), and there are a lot of local businesses which can benefit from this as well.

"In an emergency, I think it could be a bit far to go to the defib at the Library [or to The Counting House], you need something right central.

"There is so many people out there that live with heart problems. Myself included.

"I've got this condition called Wolff Parkinson White disorder. I've had it my whole life, but I only found out when I was pregnant with my first child.

"A lot of people live with heart conditions without knowing they have it.

"And when it comes to a cardiac arrest, every minute counts for your survival rate. It seemed really pivotal for us to need one on our High Street.

"I am determined to make sure this happens."

Other Bridge Street or High Street businesses will benefit from the kit, and it can be used 24 hours as it will be outside WILD & WILD.

"We've gone for the best model available," April also said.

"And it is designed so even if someone was on the street and wanted to use it [i.e when WILD & WILD is shut] they can just follow the instructions.

"Thank you to anyone for your support to the defibrillator crowdfunder. This is going to make such a massive change in Congleton.

"It could literally save the life of anyone, from a child to the elderly, and your tiny donation will impact the greater community so much."

The defibrillator is aiming to be ready by late March or early April.

And installing one helps align with April's vision for her business.

"A big thing for me is education about health," April explained.

"When we set up WILD & WILD, I wanted it to be a beacon for health.

"And it isn't just about vegan food. We are a health and lifestyle café. So it is more about encouraging people to eat more fruit and vegetables.

"And a lot of people don't realise that directly links to heart health.

"[And according to a 2014 study] It has been shown that a plant based diet can reverse the effects of heart disease, which is the only diet in the world that can.

"So having the defib there, people who haven't tried our café to also come in and try a smoothie or bacon bap, whatever it is, it is a plant based alternative, and it could help them change their diet to a healthier way as well.

"I don't like the term vegan it can put people off, but when people come in and try healthy things, it can make a difference [to their health]."

WILD and WILD will celebrate their fourth birthday in Congleton next month.

The defib is just one of the exciting future plans for the business of April and her husband Chris.

"My favourite thing about being a business in Congleton is the community," she concluded.

"Having such an amazing team of people and getting to know our regular customers.

"I never realised when we first set up four years ago that we'd make so many friends through opening the business.

"We plan this year to open our second site, and my partner Chris aims for us to open two more sites in Cheshire in the next five years as well.

"I'd also want to do my own cookbook. And we are going to start doing retreats for our customers this summer to places like Cornwall or the Lake District, take the lifestyle part of our business to our next level."

As well as their plant-based cooked breakfasts or sweet treats, WILD & WILD are known for hosting events such as vegan wine and cheese nights or yoga sessions.

You can keep up to speed with all things WILD & WILD on their Facebook.

You can donate to the defibrillator crowdfunder here.

Including our town's countryside parishes, this will become Congleton's 55th defibrillator, but the only one on Bridge Street and the west side of High Street.

A full list of defibrillators across the wider Congleton area can be found here.

The Congleton lifestyle hub and eatery is open 9am-5pm every day except Sunday's, where it is open an hour later from 10am-5pm.

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