Defib donation from the man who is ‘living proof’ that they work

In November we had the pleasure of reuniting cardiac arrest survivor Neil Ayers with the crews who saved his life.

And last week we got to meet with Neil again, as he presented the Trust with a cheque for £1,000 for a community defibrillator to, in his own words, “help save another life”.

The donation came from the combined generosity of Neil’s colleagues and employers at Associated British Ports (ABP). On hearing Neil’s story, the ABP staff, working at the Port of Ipswich, donated their Christmas meal deposits towards a defibrillator fund. The managers at ABP responded to their staff’s kind gesture by ‘topping up’ the rest of the money to hit the £1,000 total.

Neil said: “I am honoured to be able to present this cheque to the ambulance service. I have no words to be able to thank you for what you did for me and my wife, Carol. I hope this money can be used towards a defibrillator to help save another life.

“I am living proof that they work!”

Suffolk Community Collaboration Manager, Jonathan Needle, collected the cheque on behalf of the Trust: “Neil’s story really does show how important the ‘chain of survival’ steps are in having a good outcome in these situations. From the early recognition and call for help to 999 from Carol, the crucial CPR that she gave, to the early defibrillation given by the crew on arrival and the ongoing care given.”

Want to read more about Neil’s story? Visit our website: Suffolk man's thanks to ambulance 'heroes'.

Published 1^st February, 2016