A TIRELESS Rugby mum’s campaign to make life-saving equipment available to the public in memory of her son is spreading far and wide across the Midlands.
The OurJay Foundation, founded by Naomi Rees-Issitt, has teamed up with Platform Housing Group to install publicly accessible defibrillators and bleed kits across the region.
Working with Platform Property Care, the housing association has been installing the equipment at housing schemes and new developments.
One of the latest installations took place at Clarence Park retirement village in Malvern, where the equipment was unveiled at an event attended by residents, board members, local representatives, charity ambassadors, local band Molly Gone Mad, and outgoing Malvern Mayor Marilyn Birks.
Naomi set up the charity following the death of her 18-year-old son Jamie Rees from a cardiac arrest in the early hours of New Year’s Day 2022.
Despite a defibrillator being located nearby, it was inaccessible.
Since then, the charity has installed 355 defibrillators, while raising awareness of their importance and providing training in life-saving skills.
And Naomi has appeared on national TV and radio to spread her message.
Speaking at the Malvern event, Naomi said: “Every second counts in a cardiac emergency and having a defibrillator nearby can make all the difference. We are incredibly proud to be working with Platform to make these devices more accessible in communities.
“This partnership means more people have a chance of survival and it ensures Jay’s legacy continues to make a real lasting difference.”
Coun Birks – who played a leading role in installing defibrillators across Malvern and ensuring people are trained to use them – said the investment in community safety was ‘fantastic’.
She said: “Having accessible defibrillators and bleed kits in residential areas provides reassurance for residents and could ultimately save lives.
“This is a great example of organisations working together to support and protect local communities.”
Sarah Sutton, Director of New Customers and Specialist Housing at Platform, said the partnership with the OurJay Foundation was about making a difference in communities.
She said: “By installing defibrillators and bleed kits in our neighbourhoods, we’re helping to create safer places to live and giving residents greater confidence that support is there in an emergency.
“It’s also about working together – with organisations like the OurJay Foundation – to raise awareness and ensure more people have the knowledge and tools to act when it matters most.”
Platform, the first housing association to partner with the charity, has committed to installing defibrillators across its existing homes and future developments. Currently 15 have been installed – nine of them having already been used – with plans to install another seven.
Visit www.ourjay.org.uk for more information on the charity.
