Community support in memory of Framlingham nurse Janet Walne funds life-saving equipment

Fund-raising efforts to honour a nurse’s legacy have equipped Suffolk’s first responders with new life-saving equipment.

Janet Walne, 64, of Framlingham, was a dedicated nurse practitioner who served her community for 40 years until her death after suffering a cardiac arrest.

In her memory, her family raised funds to provide three fully equipped kit bags for community first responders (CFRs) — and two of the kits will support the Framlingham and Debenham CFR groups, ensuring volunteers are prepared to respond quickly to emergencies like Janet’s.

The third kit bag will be available for use by new and existing CFR groups across Suffolk.

Elizabeth, Janet’s daughter, said: “Mum was an integral part of the local community.

“She helped thousands of people throughout her career, most of them in and around Framlingham, Earl Soham and Laxfield, where she was a nurse practitioner for 25 years.

“Losing Mum was a terrible shock for all of us. She was far too young to go, but she packed more good into her 64 years than many people do in 104.

“We knew very quickly that we wanted to do something in her memory that would continue to look after the health of the community that she had supported for so long.

“As Mum died from a cardiac arrest and because the first responders were such an incredible support on that night, it was an obvious choice for fund-raising in her name.

“We sincerely hope that, thanks to the phenomenal support of those who donated, another family is spared the loss of a much-loved wife, mum, grandma and friend.”

Leighton Page, coordinator of the Framlingham CFR group established in July 2007, said that in 17 years of running the group, this is the first time a memorial donation has fully funded a complete new kit.

He said: “I think that is a testament to how highly regarded Janet was in our community after so many years’ service as a nurse here.

“She was a wonderful lady who spent years dedicating her time to looking after patients in this community as a nurse and she is sadly missed by many.

“It's a fitting tribute that even now patients will continue being looked after — because of her.”