On the 18 June the Mayor of Croydon, British Heart Foundation (BHF), Croydon Health Services and the London Ambulance Service met in the Simulation Centre at Croydon University Hospital to launch an appeal to raise £5,000 towards the cost of 35 defibrillators. 

These machines will be placed across Croydon in places such as GP and dental surgeries.

Defibrillators are portable and work by delivering a controlled electric shock through the chest to shock the heart back into a normal rhythm when someone has suffered a sudden cardiac arrest.

The mobile machines are known as life savers as they allow anyone to use them, and when someone has a cardiac arrest, defibrillation needs to be prompt as for every minute that passes the chances of survival decrease by 10 per cent.

Russell-Metcalfe-Smith, lead for the Trust’s  resuscitation service says “ I know from experience that getting the heart re-started as quickly as possible leads to much better outcomes for patients suffering a cardiac arrest. With more of these systems in place in the community we can save more lives. The Trust is currently installing defibrillators in its own community centres and is delighted that the BHF is campaigning to have more of them available throughout the borough.”

Croydon BHF Fundraising Volunteer Manager, Joanne Howe said: "Having more defibrillators available locally for these emergencies is crucial to saving more lives. I hope the community in Croydon will support this appeal and maybe do their own fundraising to help raise money."

The improving outcomes campaign hopes to place a total of 200 devices across the borough over the next two years.

To find out about how you can help call fundraising volunteer manager Joanne Howe on 07711195746 or 01474 537997. Alternatively email howej@bhf.org.uk or visit bhf.org.uk

Photo caption: Jo Howe, British Heart Foundation, Russell Meltcalfe-Smith Croydon Health Services, Croydon Mayor Cllr Eddie Arram and Henry Dom, London Ambulance Service.