Bushey Museum and Art Gallery has installed a new defibrillator in honour of a valued member of its team.

The museum’s friends, volunteers, trustees and supporters have raised funds for a defibrillator in memory of their operations manager, Gareth Wood, 53, who passed away in August following an illness.

The museum has worked with AED Donate, a charity devoted to the provision of defibrillators in the community, to buy and install the machine.

Audrey Adams, chairman of Bushey Museum, said: "Gareth was essentially a shy and reserved person who hated fuss of any kind, and I think he might have been surprised at the widespread sadness and sense of loss, both among the museum community and his friends and neighbours in Rudolph Road.

"Gareth became the museum’s first operations manager in 2009 in charge of the day to day running of the building and was a familiar figure striding through the galleries in his signature black jeans, t-shirt and black leather jacket.

"I would like to thank everybody who helped to raise funds so that we can install a defibrillator at the museum. I hope we never have to use it, but having it nearby could help save the life of someone having a cardiac arrest."

Watford Observer: Gareth WoodGareth Wood

Hertsmere borough councillor Meenal Sachdev, who holds responsiblities for community, leisure, culture and health, said: "I wish to send my sympathies to Gareth’s friends and family. What an incredible tribute to him and his commitment to Bushey Museum and Art Gallery to be able to install a defibrillator in his name.

"There are more than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK each year and every minute is critical to a person’s chance of survival. Having another defibrillator installed within our community can only be a positive and could mean the difference between life and death. Thank you to everybody who donated."

The defibrillator is located at the rear foyer of the museum.