Man who lost his father to heart attack unveils defibrillator at West Bromwich community centre

A Black Country man who lost his father to a heart attack hopes new equipment on the estate where he lived will help prevent others from experiencing similar heartbreak.

Liam Biddle was joined by West Bromwich MP Sarah Coombes for the official unveiling of a new defibrillator outside Yew Tree and Tamebridge Community Centre.

Mr Biddle, a volunteer at the centre who has been attending it since he was a child, led a fundraising drive to raise the £1,800 needed to install the machine.

His father Andy died in August 2024 aged 56 after suffering a heart attack at his home on the estate.

The Biddle family worked with Bradley Foster, a volunteer at the community centre, as well as the staff team at the centre to raise funds to install the defibrillator.

The defibrillator, which can be used to revive a patient during cardiac arrest, was supplied by the charity AED Donate, which provided it at a reduced rate and will offer additional support.

Mr Biddle, 25, said the defibrillator was particularly important as it was the only local one accessible round the clock, as other nearby devices at a school and GP surgery were only available when the premises were open.

The new machine has been fully registered with the emergency services so local people can be directed to it in an emergency. No training is required to use a defibrillator, but the community centre runs training sessions in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) that can help save lives.

During her visit to the centre, Miss Coombes took part in a lifesaving course, which taught her how to give CPR and use the defibrillator.

The training was provided by Antoinette Clarke of Ceder community interest company.

Mr Biddle said: “I’m very proud that local people have fundraised for this defibrillator, and we’ve received fantastic donations from some businesses too. We lost my wonderful dad Andy to a heart attack and we don’t want other families to suffer the pain we did. We hope this defibrillator will save lives.”

Ann Poynton, who volunteers at the community centre, said: “There is such a lot of community spirit on the Yew Tree and Tamebridge and I’m glad this new defibrillator is on the railings outside the community centre so it will be fully accessible in case of emergencies. You don’t need any training to use a defibrillator but we do run CPR training to help us be ready if the time comes.”

Miss Coombes added: “It was an honour to be part of the formal ceremony to launch the new defibrillator at the Yew Tree and Tamebridge Community Centre. Liam and his family have done a special thing in memory of his father, and I commend them and all the team at the centre for their work.”