MORE than £2,300 has been raised for life-saving equipment on the Isle of Wight, including a Public Access Defibrillator (PAD), in tribute to a woman who died last year.

Carole Parker, of Warwick, died in September 2019. She was known affectionately as Paddington — or Pad — due to her love of travel.

Rather than flowers, guests at her funeral were invited to help raise money for defibrillator equipment.

This included a machine for Wroxall's IW Donkey Sanctuary, which has been placed in the recently refurbished cafe on site.

Additional money was used to purchase a box for an existing defibrillator in Ventnor to allow 24-hour access, with the remaining £464 donated directly to the Donkey Sanctuary.

Sally Kelly, daughter of Carole, said: "As my mother loved to travel the world she was called Paddington, which was often shortened to Pad. Therefore, it seemed appropriate we should donate a PAD in her memory.

"With her love of the Island, it is fitting the PAD has been placed in the Donkey Sanctuary. Seeing it installed, while bringing back sad memories, does make the family feel proud it could save lives in the future."

Visitor services manager at the Donkey Sanctuary, Tracy Hawkes, said: "We are extremely grateful to the family for choosing the Donkey Sanctuary to receive the defibrillator, from the generous donations of their mum’s sad passing.

"We will be forever indebted to them, it is a huge benefit to the Donkey Sanctuary and its surrounding area to have immediate access to a potentially life-saving tool."