Charity gets £142k to aid cardiac arrest survival

A charity which supports the South Western Ambulance Service has received £142,000 towards its work to increase the survival rate of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.

The South Western Ambulance Charity received the funding from NHS Charities Together to improve access to defibrillators, provide training and support first responders.

The funding will go towards two community response vehicles, new defibrillators and a community ambassador programme to provide CPR and defib training.

Charity head Zoe Larter said: "This grant will allow us to strengthen our work in equipping communities with the skills and resources needed to respond effectively in emergencies."

The charity uses donations to improve the welfare of staff and volunteers at the South Western Ambulance Service Foundation Trust (SWASFT) and help the communities that use their service.

Jane Whichello, head of volunteering at SWASFT, said its staff played a vital role in providing early lifesaving interventions.

"This funding will enable us to support our volunteers with additional resources, ensuring they can reach patients quickly and provide immediate care," she said.

"In addition, with the creation of our new community ambassador role, we're hoping this will empower people across the region to learn CPR and defibrillation skills, creating stronger, more resilient communities."

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