The British Heart Foundation (BHF) has opened its 2024/25 applications for a funded defibrillator for community groups around Great Britain.
A limited number of funded defibrillators are available in each annual funding cycle with community groups able to apply until 5pm on Friday 28 February 2025 (please note, applications may close earlier depending on the volume received, so applying early is advisable).
Applications will be reviewed monthly against a set of criteria so awards can be made to communities that need them most.
Areas prioritised include those with fewer registered defibrillators and communities where local health needs indicate a higher risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Community groups such as church organisations and other places of worship, social clubs, parish councils, local social enterprise organisations, and community centres are encouraged to apply.
Each year, there are over 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK with less than 1 in 10 people surviving. Every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by up to 10%.
There are an estimated 100,000 defibrillators in the UK, a number which continues to grow year on year thanks in part to schemes like the BHF’s.