THE founder and manager of a Thurrock-based charity has been reflecting on its lifesaving work across the borough community during the past year.

For more than 12 years Katie's Heart Appeal has been fundraising to support a specialist London hospital and to install automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and bleed control kits across Thurrock.

The charity is named after Katie Davies, a local girl who was diagnosed with a serious heart condition and treated at London's Brompton Hospital.

Katie's mum, Charlotte Yoxall-Davies, manages the charity and in an end-of-year-message says: "This year has brought us a lot of ups and downs, but we have always carried on with our lifelong commitment to keeping our community heart safe."

This is her review of the year:

January - We donated another 4 bleed control kits to the community, celebrated 12 years of Katie's Heart Appeal, donated an AED to the Royal British Legion Brandon Branch in memory of my Dad, donated an AED to Loughton Taekwondo, and to USP College and Storm Fitness & Leisure

February - We celebrated Katie's birthday and Heart Awareness Month. We donated a blood pressure and heart rate unit to Treetops Free School, an AED to Chadwell Working Mens Club, an AED to Arthur Barnes Court, an AED to St Clere's School FC, and bleed control kits to the community Guardians of the Bonners Estate in Orsett.

April - We donated an AED to the residents of Vigerons Court, and a public access AED cabinet to Thameside Nature Discovery Park - EWT in memory of my Dad.

June - Team Katie took part in our annual highlight of the year and biggest fundraiser of the year the Horndon 10k, we also won a Thurrock CVS Award for commitment to keeping our community heart safe.

August - One of our amazing Guardians Dave Scott was awarded the Long Service Award by East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust for 10 years continued voluntary service. We also restocked all of our existing bleed control kits.

Katie completed here degree course in 2025

September - Our beautiful, clever Katie finished her degree at Anglia Ruskin University, and after 3 years of hard work, placements in hospitals and the community, exams and dissertations, she achieved First Class Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Mental Health). We are all so very, very proud of you Katie.

October - We donated an AED to Treetops Post 19 Provision and Treetops Vocational Village in memory of one of our amazing previous pupils, Ramanpal Sidhu, who very sadly suffered a fatal cardiac arrest. Our Guardians Liam Judd and Tyler Judd took part in the Southend 10k to raise awareness for Katie's Heart Appeal.

November - We won the Essex Mums Award Special Mention for Contribution to the Local Community. Katie graduated from ARU.

December - Joe, Katie, Dave Scott, Jason Mayes and myself were recognised by the British Heart Foundation for our commitment to AED Guardianship for our community defibrillators.

Katie added: "I would like to say a huge thank you to our amazing Vince Knight VK Electrical Services Ltd for supporting us for another year installing our cabinets, especially the last 2 which were very tricky, and to CEF Grays for supplying the materials. To Langdon Hills Golf Club for their very generous donation fundraising for us. To London Hearts for supplying us with affordable AEDs, cabinets, bleed control kits and supporting Katie's Heart Appeal.

"To my amazing Team Katie, who every year, put themselves through the brutal Horndon 10k to support us, raising vital funds and awareness into heart conditions, especially in children and young adults.

To Linda Musson and Cliff, Dave Scott, Jason Mayes, Dave Bowling, Stanford-Le-Hope,Corringham & Tilbury Community First Responders, Tarnya Bennett, Neil Speight, Thurrock Nub News, to David O, with the support of Nicky and Fola and Thurrock Lifestyle Solutions, Community Interest Company.

"To Peter Eates for coming on board and taking over Guardianship for the Beacon Centre AED. To Farid Baree for all your help and support setting up Katie's Heart Appeal and supporting us since the first day Katie was admitted to the Royal Brompton Hospital.

"To my wonderful family for always supporting us in everything we do. We couldn't do all this without any of you. Here is to more fundraising and life saving in 2026."