Donate for Defib WsM Project – what a remarkable first year!

It’s hard to believe that it’s been a year since Donate for Defib WsM, emailed us to ask for support with their new project to install as many defibrillators in Weston as possible.

The Donate for Defib team has accomplished so much, that this one-year anniversary is a fitting point at which to celebrate all they have done, entirely voluntarily, for the people of Weston.

Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) wishes to thank them for all that they do and is very proud to work in partnership with them. Lisa Warrington, GWAAC Defibrillator Coordinator says:
“This group are incredible. They decided that something needed to be done and they’ve set about making a difference for the people of Weston. Defibrillators save lives and they want to give local people the best chance on their worst day. Their tenacity, determination and sheer hard work is highly commendable, and parts of Weston are becoming safer because of the difference they are making. There is still so much to be done so any support the community can give would be very welcomed.”

Why you need a public access defibrillator nearby

GWAAC saves lives across Bristol, Weston and beyond and our specialist crew are called to around 500 cardiac arrest patients a year – a quarter of our total missions. Yet, despite the extraordinary skills of our crew, our speedy arrival to the scene, and the equipment we bring (equipment and skills usually found in a hospital emergency department) – we know that the precious minutes before we arrive are critical.

Bystander CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and defibrillation before an ambulance arrives can increase cardiac arrest survival rates from less than 10% to more than 70. To avoid needless deaths GWAAC’s goal is that anyone who suffers a cardiac arrest will receive immediate CPR and then defibrillation within five minutes, ideally even sooner.

Donate for Defib WsM Project’s achievements are making a big difference:

• Raising over £41,000 for defibrillators in Weston-super-Mare
• 18 new defibrillators and cabinets in partnership with GWAAC
• Rallying support from all corners of Weston – 42 venues and groups raising funds for a defibrillator in their community
• Raising awareness through the media – including The Weston Mercury, Radio Somerset and Radio Bristol
• Securing the support of local businesses - AMS Electrical Services South West and Aardvark AVO Electricals who have very kindly installed defibs free of charge
• Delivering CPR and Defibrillator training across Weston, with the support of Simon Brookes and Professor Graham Stuart.