Stone-based charity AEDdonate has reached a milestone after supporting 10,000 locations across the UK to become better prepared for sudden cardiac arrest.
The locations range from schools, village halls, workplaces and sports clubs to pubs, places of worship, garden centres, community first responder vehicles, boats and buses.
Some of the support has also gone towards personal defibrillators.
AEDdonate has worked with businesses, schools, charities, local authorities and community organisations for more than a decade, helping them access equipment, education and ongoing support.
Keeping defibrillators ready for emergencies
The charity uses what it calls its FIRM approach, covering the funding, installation, registration and maintenance of defibrillators.
Its work includes helping organisations access funding, choose suitable equipment and register defibrillators on The Circuit, the national defibrillator network.
AEDdonate also provides education and ongoing maintenance support, with the aim of ensuring equipment remains ready for use during an emergency.
The charity said each additional location helps strengthen access to defibrillators across the UK.
Thousands of people choosing to take action
AEDdonate chief executive Jamie Richards MBE said
“When AEDdonate began, supporting 10,000 communities felt unimaginable. Reaching this milestone reminds us that lasting impact isn’t created in one big moment. It’s built through thousands of conversations, partnerships and people choosing to make their communities safer.
“I’m incredibly proud of our team, our volunteers and everyone who has supported AEDdonate over the years. Every location represents people who cared enough to take action, and we’re grateful to everyone who has been part of that journey.
“While we’re proud of what we’ve achieved together, we’re even more determined to help the next 10,000 communities become better prepared to respond to sudden cardiac arrest.”
AEDdonate thanked its staff, volunteers, trustees, supporters, donors, fundraisers, partners and the organisations it has worked with.
The charity said it would continue working to increase access to defibrillators, raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest and help more communities prepare to respond.
