London Hearts are helping to fund Public Access Defibrillators (PADs) in communities all over the country. When someone has a cardiac arrest, timely intervention is the key to survival. By making 
more defibrillators available, and by training more people to use them, the better the chance of survival for a cardiac arrest victim.
PADs are defibrillators placed in public places and accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The defibrillators are kept in an external cabinet, so when someone calls 999 in an emergency, the call handler can direct you to where the nearest defibrillator is. While an ambulance is on the way to the scene, bystanders can commence CPR and defibrillation before paramedics arrive.
London Hearts can help by providing a grant of £300 to communities who are fundraising for a public access defibrillator in their area. So far London Hearts have helped sports clubs, parish councils, nonprofits and individuals who are fundraising for a defibrillator obtain funding towards the cost of a defibrillator and cabinet, making this lifesaving piece of kit more affordable.
The community is responsible for the fitting, upkeep and ongoing maintenance of the equipment along with running costs, which is around £2 - £3 per year for electricity.
Grants are offered based on the following criterion:
- Location/footfall
- Health needs of the community
- Proximity to other defibrillators