A LIFE-saving defibrillator has been installed at a Rugby secondary school, as a Rugby mum continues her campaign to bring the life-saving devices to the streets in memory of her son.
The public access defibrillator (PAD), donated to the OurJay Foundation charity by housebuilder Taylor Wimpey, has been installed at Rugby Free Secondary School.
Rugby woman Naomi Rees-Issitt set up the charity following the tragic death of her 18-year-old son Jamie Rees from a cardiac arrest in the early hours of New Year’s Day 2022.
She said: “It is incredibly important to have public access defibrillators readily available in case of emergency.
“We’re very grateful for this donation from Taylor Wimpey to allow us to continue our work to ensure as many defibrillators and life-saving equipment are accessible as possible across the Rugby and Warwickshire communities.”
As part of a joint initiative with the British Heart Foundation (BHF), the homebuilder is donating PADs from its completed developments – in this case, Paddox Rise off Ashlawn Road – to help people who suffer from an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Ben Walker, Sales and Marketing Director at Taylor Wimpey West Midlands, said: “Our partnership with the BHF is vitally important in helping to ensure more defibrillators are available for people who might need them.
“We are proud to be able to make this equipment readily accessible in Rugby with the help of the OurJay Foundation.”
Estelle Stephenson, Head of Health Partnerships and Community Resuscitation at BHF, said: “Every second counts when someone has a cardiac arrest, and we know that prompt CPR and defibrillation can double the chances of survival in some cases.
“Increasing the number of publicly accessible defibrillators in our communities – alongside more of us learning CPR skills – can play a vital role in these critical moments.
“That is why we are delighted that Taylor Wimpey has contributed to the aims of the BHF by making a public access defibrillator available in Rugby. It could help save a life.”
The OurJay Foundation has so far installed over 300 defibrillators across Warwickshire and beyond, while raising awareness of the importance of PADs and providing training in life-saving skills. Visit www.ourjay.org.uk for more information.
Visit www.revivr.bhf.org.uk to learn CPR in 15 minutes with the BHF’s free online RevivR tool.
Visit www.thecircuit.uk for information about The Circuit, a map of all PADs in the UK.
