As part of a joint initiative with the British Heart Foundation (BHF), the home builder is donating potentially life-saving PADs to communities around the UK to help people who suffer from an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

During 2019, the BHF supported Taylor Wimpey to train its employees in CPR skills and provide every one of their building sites in the UK with a defibrillator.

As part of its commitment to leaving a lasting legacy in the areas in which it builds, Taylor Wimpey is donating the defibrillators to local communities when their developments are completed. Following the completion of its latest phase of development in Dunbar at Albany Grange, and as part of its commitment to East Lothian, the local community in Dunbar is the latest to be gifted a PAD.

Deryck Schendel, regional health and safety advisor for Taylor Wimpey in Scotland, said: “It’s so important to us that we give something back to the communities in which we’re building. Our partnership with the BHF is vitally important in helping to ensure that more defibrillators are available for people who might need them. We are proud to be able to make this equipment accessible to Dunbar Rugby Club, which recognises our decade-long support of the club, and its position at the Hallhill Centre will make it accessible for the wider local community too.”

Justin Pearce, Dunbar Rugby Club President, added: “Taylor Wimpey East Scotland has been a long- time supporter of the club, and I’m delighted they nominated our club and community to receive this defibrillator. We can’t thank them enough for this potentially life-saving equipment. The defibrillator will be readily accessible from an external cabinet that will be positioned in a prominent position on the side of the club building near the rugby pitch. While we hope we don’t have to use it, it’s fantastic to know we can access a defibrillator in the event of an emergency.” 

Estelle Stephenson, survival programme lead at the British Heart Foundation, commented: “We are delighted that Taylor Wimpey has contributed to the aims of the BHF by making a public access defibrillator available to Dunbar Rugby Club.

“A cardiac arrest is the most serious medical emergency. Every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces a person’s chance of surviving by around 10 per cent, but calling 999, starting immediate hands-only CPR and using a defibrillator can significantly increase their chances of survival.

“During the pandemic it is essential that these steps are still taken to help save someone’s life and there are some simple measures you can take to keep yourself safe so please don’t hesitate to help someone in need. Find up to date guidance on the BHF website.”

A defibrillator is a portable device that can be used by anyone to help restart the heart when someone suffers from a cardiac arrest and has stopped breathing.

No specific training is needed and the device will only deliver a shock to the heart if necessary. When someone has a cardiac arrest, every second counts. For every minute that passes without defibrillation and CPR the chances of survival decrease by around ten per cent.