Childhood heart surgery inspires Weston-super-Mare defib project

Donate For Defib in Weston-super-Mare has already installed 12 defibrillators across town

A man who had cardiac surgery when he was six weeks old is now installing defibrillators.

Donate For Defib in Weston-super-Mare was established in August 2023, and has already installed 12 defibrillators across the town.

Josh Bell, who is co-leading partner of the charity, had cardiac surgery as a child.

"It has always been at the forefront of my mind, to be able to make a difference to people's lives," he said.

When Mr Bell was a child, he had to undergo cardiac surgery

Mr Bell added that defibrillators were "essential to a patient's chances of survival" from a cardiac arrest.

"Raising awareness of the key interventions CPR and defibrillation can do can increase someone's chances of survival from 6% right up to 76%," he said.

Working alongside Josh is one of his best friends from school, Tom Ferrand, who added: "It is vital that we increase the number of defibrillators around our local town.

"The opportunity to potentially enable the survival of members of our community makes the project more worthwhile.

"Giving back and helping within the community is what it's all about."

A defibrillator in Weston-super-Mare

Prof Graham Stuart, who is a consultant cardiologist and part of the team, said: "There is absolutely no doubt early cardioversion can be life-saving in patients experiencing a cardiac arrest.

"Moreover, the earlier it takes place, the better the outcome.

"The best way to achieve this is to increase the availability of publicly accessible defibrillators in the community."