29/07/2026
“To think that the defibrillator I applied for saved someone's life does make me feel very proud."
Yesterday, we shared Adrian's story of surviving a cardiac arrest. Today, we're sharing the story of Jill, the woman who helped make sure a lifesaving defibrillator was there when he needed it most.
Just weeks before Adrian's cardiac arrest, Jill successfully applied for a defibrillator through the BHF's Community Defibrillator Programme for her local church in Plymouth.
As the defibrillator's guardian, Jill received a text on Christmas Day to say the device had been accessed. It was taken across the road to the pub where bystanders were already performing CPR and delivered two shocks helping Adrian survive.
"I think it's amazing the defibrillator we campaigned for helped to save Adrian's life. We live on a steep hill so by the time someone had run to the next nearest defibrillator, it wouldn't have been anything like as quick. I'm one of those people who just likes to get things done, so to think that the defibrillator I applied for saved someone's life does make me feel very proud."
Jill's story shows the difference one community defibrillator can make.
You can apply for a free defibrillator for your community group today through our Community Defibrillator Funding Programme. See if your community is eligible here: https://www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help/how-to-save-a-life/defibrillators/apply-for-a-free-defibrillator-for-your-community
