FRIENDS and family of a selfless local are raising money for the charitable causes which helped save his life.

Stephen Turner is the founder of Ordinary Living, a care company based in Bude that supports adults with learning disabilities, autism and mental health. He started Ordinary Living some 26 years ago from nothing, living in a bedsit having decided to change his life and help others.

However, on December 22, 2023, Stephen had a heart attack whilst at home, aged 54. A member of Bude Community First Responders — voluntary responders for the ambulance service — attended and ensured he had the best possible care and handover to a land ambulance that conveyed him to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

After five days in hospital, Stephen was finally able to return home, however, only three days later, he once again experienced a cardiac arrest during New Year celebrations. The same member of Bude Community First Responders attended and provided lifesaving intervention.

Following the incident, Devon Air Ambulance flew Stephen to hospital as he went straight into surgery.

In the coming six weeks, Stephen had a number of cardiac arrests whilst in intensive care. He remained in a coma for the entire time he was there, and in total, 99 shocks were delivered in this time. Following this, Stephen was transferred to another unit where he remained for a further six weeks.

During this period, there were several times when Stephen’s health took a turn for the worst and his family were asked to attend the hospital.

Thanks to the work of all medical professionals involved, Stephen has an internal defibrillator fitted to try and prevent this from happening again.

Now, back at home, he is still very unwell but has the right care and support around him to help him.  

Following these difficult few months, Stephen’s friends and family are taking on the National Three Peaks Challenge to raise funds for the vital services which helped support Stephen through this time.  

Scott Tremayne has worked for Stephen for the last 17 years, considers him his best friend, and happens to be the first responder who helped save Stephen’s life. Now, he has organised this challenge to help support these important services.  

Speaking to the Post, Scott explained: “Over the years Stephen has had such a massive impact on so many lives and has enabled so many individuals to live a life that they would not normally have. Ordinary Living blended the parameters of supported living and residential care enabling individuals with higher needs to be able to remain in the community with the right care.   

“Stephen has always done his best to enable others, including his staff teams that work for him. At one point Stephen owned 15 supported living homes and had a staff team of 140 people. So, as you can imagine he gave a lot to a lot of people.  

“He is an amazing individual who would work 24 hours a day, seven days a week to strive to ensure everyone else was ok. Unfortunately, this took its toll on him last year.”  

Scott has been a Community First Responder for South Western Ambulance Service for the last five years and says he has received a great amount of support in this role. 

He said: “Stephen has been my biggest supporter with this. So, it's ironic that my biggest supporter needed me to save his life. It was very clear that had I not been there with a defibrillator then Stephen would have died.” 

Now, alongside friends and family, Scott has organised a mighty challenge to help fundraise for the life-saving causes.

He explained: “The 10 of us that are doing the National Three Peaks Challenge are doing this to raise funds for Bude Community First Responders, Devon Air Ambulance and the ICU at Royal Devon and Exeter.”

The challenge will see the group tackle the three highest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales; Snowden, Scafell Pike, and Ben Nevis. The task will see the group push themselves to the limit, but Scott explains this is something they all care about greatly.  

He said: “We have all been affected by this. Each and every one of us have a connection with Stephen that surpasses the usual boss and employee relationship.  

“Carl and Sam, brother and sister have known Stephen from a young age. His guidance in life has seen both Carl and Sam onto great things.  

“Lucas is Stephen’s son and was there on the night of this traumatic event.  

“Brittani, Samantha, Kirstie, Jodie and Joseph have worked for Stephen for a number of years.

“And Kat is Carl’s partner and was wanting to join this experience to show solidarity with us”

The group are hoping to raise £4,500 for the cause. Their crowdfunder can be found here: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/national-3-peaks-challenge-stepsforsteve