31 New Lifesaving Defibrillators in Weston-super-Mare with the help of Great Western Hearts

It’s been nearly two years since the Donate for Defib WSM project began fundraising for and placing defibrillators in Weston-super-Mare. Supported by Great Western Air Ambulance Charity’s (GWAAC) Great Western Hearts programme, the community-led project is helping make Weston a safer place for people who suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

We’re proud of the combined efforts that have gone into installing the 31 lifesaving public access defibrillators together, and the additional defibrillators the group have installed or helped register around the Weston community.

A community effort

The new defibs have been made possible thanks to the commitment of local volunteers, organisations, and residents, including participation in events organised by Donate for Defib WSM. Awareness and funds have been raised through charity markets marathons, open mic nights and podcasts.

Since the first 10 defibrillators were installed in early 2024, the Donate for Defib WSM team, with support from Great Western Hearts, have:

• Raised over £58,900 to support the purchase, installation, and training associated with defibrillators
• Worked with 60+ community groups and venues who have helped fundraise or host a device
• Secured practical support from local businesses, including AMS Electrical Services Southwest, who have generously continued to install cabinets free of charge

One defibrillator, installed in 2024 in memory of Roy Chell, was funded by his wife Christina, who is a member of the Donate for Defib WSM’s project. It now sits outside 168 Medical, helping to ensure local people have a chance of receiving emergency defibrillation within the first few minutes of having a cardiac arrest.

Christina said, “That defibrillator means something. It’s not just equipment—it’s a chance. A second chance for someone else, and Roy’s legacy living on. Roy always helped people, and on the 10th anniversary of his death, I thought this would be a fitting memorial to him—a public accessible defibrillator available when a person suffers a cardiac arrest to help them. The second defibrillator was installed at Specsavers in Weston, funded by public donations, Tom Farrand through his marathon fundraising, and myself in memory of my friend Jean.”

In 2024, over 25% of our call-outs in North Somerset were to cardiac arrests

Alongside the extraordinary level of medical skill our crew bring to the scene, it's what happens prior to our arrival that can save a life. For someone suffering a cardiac arrest, every second counts. Good quality CPR and a defibrillator used in the first few minutes can increase someone’s chance of survival from under 10% to more than 70%.

Before this project began, many areas in Weston were without quick access to a defibrillator, but thanks to the hard work of the teams involved this is changing; thousands now live and work within reach of a life-saving device in Weston and hundreds more know how to use one.

Thank you, Donate for Defib WSM and local communities

Caroline Kivungi, Defibrillator Officer at GWAAC, says, “It’s not often you see such dedication in action. The Donate for Defib WSM team recognised a lifesaving need and turned compassion into results bringing defibrillators and tools to the heart of the community when it’s needed most. It’s testament to their hard work that they are finalists in the community category for BBC Make a Difference Award 2025.”

We’d also like to thank every fundraiser, business, volunteer, and donor who has supported the work of Donate for Defib WSM. You’ve proven that when a community comes together, it can literally save lives. So, whether you ran a race, baked a cake, checked that a defib is rescue ready, or shared a story, your effort mattered and it will matter most to the people who urgently need CPR and defibrillation in Weston.

Can you help?

In 2024, our crew was called to 501 people in cardiac arrest across our whole region (22% of all missions) meaning it is still the biggest single reason that our service might be needed. Every community deserves the tools and training to respond before help arrives.

The Donate for Defib WSM project has laid an incredible foundation and through ongoing training and awareness, and through the people it’s brought together, the impact will continue.

If you would like to volunteer for the Donate for Defib WSM Project or simply learn more, please get in touch:

Email: donatefordefib.wsm@gmail.com 

Project Phone (Mobile): 07749036032

You can also donate on their Enthuse page.