STAFF at a Thurnscoe care home are stepping up in a bid to fit its lifesaving defibrillator outside the home.

Carers at Dearnlea Park Residential Home, on Park Road, challenged themselves to walk 10,000 steps per day throughout March in a bid to raise funds for a case for their defibrillator.

The home already has the equipment but it’s locked away in the manager’s office - to make it more accessible 24 hours of the day, the team took on the fundraising task.

Kim Davies, the activities co-ordinator at the home, said: “Some of our staff are fundraising to purchase a case for our defibrillator to allow us to fix it to the wall.

“We aim to each reach 10,000 steps per day throughout March which will be a big challenge.

“At the minute at home, I’ve been walking around 100 steps to the kettle and back so I’ve started preparing early - I’ve even bought a fitness watch.”

Staff members started an online fundraiser ahead of their challenge, and set a goal of £300.

Kim believes the key to success is sticking together as a team - which she says was key throughout the pandemic.

“It’s a massive team effort with even our extended family getting involved. We’re determined to raise as much as we can.

“We’ve overcome so much this year as a team, so this is just another to our amazing list.”

“Our main goal is to mount our defibrillator on the wall so it’s accessible at all times when it’s needed.”

To donate to Dearnlea Park Residential Home’s fundraiser, visit the Barnsley Chronicle website.