THE curtain has come down on a Christmas fundraising effort on a Stanford-le-Hope residential estate and its legacy will be the installation of a lifesaving device.

Thursday, 23 December saw the last collections being taken from visitors to the Maple and Stanford Park estates off Butts Lane, where residents have mounted a spectacular Christmas lights display.

Money donated by visitors will be used by the Katie's Heart Appeal to install a public access defibrillator in the area.

Charlotte Davies has been a driving force behind the charity and says: "Tonight was the last night of the Christmas lights event!

"We would like to say a massive, massive thank-you to all the residents, especially Kay and her amazing family and group of volunteers!

"We have been trying to get permission for a 24/7 public access defibrillator for Maple and Stanford Park for four years! After a lot of red tape we were finally granted permission.

"Kay approached Katie's Heart Appeal and asked if the wonderful residents of Stanford Park could raise money for the defibrillator at their Christmas lights display.

"The amazing team of resident volunteers have been out every night in all weather's collecting donations for this. They have had some challenging times as well as great times over the past few weeks, and remained upbeat and positive throughout.

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"You are all amazing and should be so proud of yourselves. We are so proud of you all.

"We would like to thank the Rotary Club East Thurrock too for coming to Maple Park and Stanford Park with their Santa sleigh on our last night to help the amazing team raise more money.

"Thank you to everyone who came, was respectful and donated over the past three weeks. All this is going towards helping to save lives. "e are so very proud and so very thankful to be surrounded by truly wonderful people.

"Together we are all helping to save a life. Merry Christmas everyone and we cannot wait to update you in the New Year with the total raised."