#heartsafe15: Prime Minster's aide backs E&S campaign for defibrillator funding
An aide to the Prime Minister has backed the Express & Star's campaign to get life-saving defibrillators in Wolverhampton.
South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson, Parliamentary Private Secretary to David Cameron, has urged businesses and residents to donate to the #heartsafe15 campaign to fund defibrillators in the city.
Mr Williamson, who recently met with our fundraising partners AEDdonate, said: "During my meeting with AEDdonate I learnt that sudden cardiac arrest can kill 100,000 people a year. By making defibrillators more accessible to communities we can save lives.
"A lot of my constituents work, shop and visit Wolverhampton so they will benefit hugely from this campaign run by the Express & Star.
"The figures which show the difference between getting to a patient who has suffered a sudden cardiac arrest are staggering. I encourage all local businesses to donate so we can get more defibrillators and save as many lives as possible.
"We already have many in South Staffordshire but it is absurd that there is a much smaller coverage in an area like Wolverhampton where you have tens of thousands of people passing through every day.
"Having done training on a defibrillator, I can say it is simple and easy to use. If an MP can work out how to use one, I'm sure any member of the public can use them."
Slade frontman Noddy Holder is backing the campaign as is Olympian Alison Williamson and former Wolves director Kevin Threlfall whose life was saved by a defibrillator. Wolverhampton council, New Cross Hospital and West Midlands Ambulance Service are also supporting the cause.
Survival rates among people who have a cardiac arrest outside hospital remain poor, varying from two to 12 per cent. Using defibrillators in the first few minutes of an arrest means the chances of resuscitation can increase by 70 per cent.
The defibrillators will be placed in a waterproof, secure cabinet and placed anywhere people gather. The cabinet is protected with a pin code. This code is provided by a member of the emergency services as soon as a call to 999 is made and the location of the public-access defibrillator provided.
Businesses or groups wanting to get involved and wanting further details can call AEDdonate on 01785 472 224. You can also give by text message by texting AEDW50 to 70070 followed by how much you want to donate. Alternatively, you can make an online donation at by going to www.crowdfunder.co.uk/ wol verhampton-aed-campaign. We are also encouraging people to engage in the campaign by tweeting us with the hashtag #heartsafe15