One million pounds of government funding has been earmarked to buy life-saving defibrillators for community spaces like town halls, local parks or post offices.
Community organisations across Gedling borough have now been invited to bid for the funding which will provide new Automated External Defibrillators (AED) across England in public spaces where they are most needed.
The announcement by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) estimates that around 1,000 new defibrillators will be provided by the fund, with the potential for this to double as successful applicants will be asked to match the funding they receive partially or fully.
This fresh funding will be warmly received by local organisations who have been having to find the cash to pay for their own units.
The Arrow in Arnold has recently had a defibrillator installed following a fundraising campaign.
The St.George’s Centre in Netherfield has also received financial support to pay for their Defibrillator unit.
A spokesperson from St George’s said: “We received the Defibrillator from the Carlton Rotary Club a few years ago. They approached the Forum and asked if we would like one. Of course, we said ‘Yes’.”
“The Carlton Rotary Club are very supportive of the Netherfield Community. Always willing to help out, raising funds and support at Christmas time. They also help us to feed the community with their monthly donations. We cannot thank them enough for all the past support and current support we receive from them. What a very lovely bunch they are”
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Steve Barclay, said: “We know, through inspiring stories of ordinary people, being kept alive thanks to the swift use of a defibrillator in public, that these extraordinary devices must be accessible to all.
“I urge any organisation that may benefit from a defibrillator – whether you’re a sports club, local theatre or community hall – to register your interest for this fund so that we can get more of this life-saving technology placed around England.”
The funding is part of the government’s drive to equip the health system with the right technology to ease pressures, reduce backlogs and cut waiting lists, and to improve public access to care when they need it.
Applicants will need to demonstrate that defibrillators will be placed in areas where they are most needed, such as places with high footfall, vulnerable people, rural areas, or due to the nature of activity at the site such as town halls, community centres, local shops, post offices and local parks.
Minister of State for Care, Helen Whately, said: “When a friend, family member, neighbour or even a total stranger is experiencing cardiac arrest, the quick use of a defibrillator in an easy to reach place can be the lifeline that keeps them with us.
“If you run a space in your community that could benefit from one, please register your interest for our £1 million grant, and join our drive to widen the availability of this incredible technology.”
An independent partner, drawn from the Government’s Crown Commercial Service list of approved suppliers will manage the grant applications from bidding organisations.
Although the independent partner has not been chosen, prospective organisations who wish to obtain funding for a defibrillator are now invited to register an expression of interest with the Department of Health and Social Care to speed up the process.
Organisations who submit an expression of interest will be notified once grant applications open to the Department of Health and Social Care’s £1m Community AED Fund.
To register your interest, please complete the form HERE or via the following QR code :
