A community project is continuing as a legacy to a passionate campaigner – funded by donations left in his memory.

The Westham Community Group launched a project to install a network of publicly available defibrillators, spearheaded by former chairman Andreas Scheffler.

Mr Scheffler died in January this year after collapsing at home. Sadly, resuscitation attempts could not save him.

Now, the Westham Community Group has unveiled another defibrillator as the project continues.

Cllr Gill Taylor, mayor of Weymouth and Portland and acting chairman of the group, said: “This is a project that was started when Andreas was the chairman and is continuing as a legacy to him. Our first one was outside of the Wessex Pharmacy on Lanehouse Rocks Road which was achieved with the support of the Littlesea Holiday Camp.

“I’m saddened but grateful that this one has been funded from donations left in memory of Andreas. He was an asset to the community and I really do miss him. It has also been part funded with a grant from the community and voluntary sector grants pot of WPBC and could only be achieved with the support of Londis.”

Cllr Taylor added: “This project will continue and we are looking for more sites and more funding within the Westham area so if anyone is interested please get in touch with me on 01305 779936.”

Born in Germany, Mr Scheffler moved to England in the 1970s, settling in Weymouth with wife Berenice, known as Berry, in 2012. He was passionate about community issues, and, as chairman of Westham Community Group he not only started the defibrillator project but was also instrumental in a campaign to try and tackle the use of hard drugs which was affecting the neighbourhood.

He stood for election on the borough council last year, losing by just a handful of votes.

Mrs Scheffler said: “Andreas cared deeply about his community and he was actively working in it and supporting it. This defibrillator is a fitting memorial and I’m very grateful to all those who have made it happen.”