Aldermaston company Pump Technology donates defibrillators in bid to combat cardiac arrest

mirek.gosney@newburynews.co.uk

Published: 16:17, 26 May 2023

| Updated: 16:17, 26 May 2023

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, a local company has donated a number of defibrillators to help save lives.

In the UK, there are approximately 60,000 cardiac arrests annually.

But Aldermaston-based Pump Technology Ltd has done its bit to help by giving its first five units to several West London organisations.

L to R: Aiden Barker-Rees, grandson of Jonathan Barker, London Irish Foundation head of operations Wayne Wedgbury, Pump Technology managing director Jonathan Barker, Hazelwood general manager Luke Charlton, Abby Doolan, from the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust, and London Irish Foundation chief executive Andy Keast

Hazelwood, the home of London Irish RFU in Sunbury-on-Thames, was one of the proud recipients.

General manager Luke Charlton said: “Hazelwood is an extremely busy facility.

“It will be a great addition to maintaining the health and safety for the various sports, activities and events that we have on offer here.”

L to R: Pump Technology managing director Jonathan Barker and Enjoy Work health and safety co-ordinator David McDonnell, based in Chiswick Park Business Centre

Chiswick Park Business Centre also received a defibrillator to help serve the thousands of people who use its centre concourse.

Health and safety co-ordinator David McDonnell welcomed the addition.

L to R: Pump Technology managing director Jonathan Barker, Watermans customer relations manager Johanna Browne, and Watermans general manager, Thom Stanbury

Watermans Art Centre, located in Brentford, reguarly hosts hundreds of visitors who will now benefit from the new defibrillator.

L to R: London Irish Foundation chief executive Andy Keast, Pump Technology managing director Jonathan Barker, Kew CC first team captain Shane Macdermott, and Abby Doolan, from the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust

First team captain at Kew Cricket Club Shane Macdermott also thanked Pump Technology for its generous contribution, saying: “We are constantly hearing in the news about how defibrillators are saving lives in sports locations all over the country.

“This unit which Pump Technology has donated to us will be visible and available to everybody and is therefore a great addition to our community.”

L to R: Pump Technology managing director Jonathan Barker and London Museum of Water & Steam interim director Melissa Maynard

The historic London Museum of Water and Steam, formerly the Kew Bridge Steam Museum, was the fifth group to receive a unit.

Melissa Maynar is the interim director for the charity-led organisation and expressed her gratitude, saying: “We are always trying to find money for everything we need to keep developing and grow.

“I have wanted to install a defibrillator for many months now as I really believe that we should have one, but could not find the money in our budget.

“This donation from Pump Technology has enabled us to now install this life-saving equipment and we are extremely grateful for the gift.”

Pump Technology also thanks Andy Keast, of the London Irish Foundation, for his work in liaising with the two organisations involved in this project.

Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of premature death. Resuscitation is attempted in only about half of these cases, but fewer than one in 10 survive.

Defib locations across the UK are recorded on The Circuit. Visit https://www.thecircuit.uk/ to find out more.

When calling 999, emergency services will alert the caller to their nearest defib and support the caller until an ambulance arrives on scene.

Business Charity Health Newbury West Berkshire Villages Mirek Gosney