Provide a Public Access Defibrillator

This Year, the Griffithstown division of St John Ambulance Cymru is celebrating its Centenary. Formed by local people in 1923, the division has been a constant part of the community helping support local and national events, and training people to save lives.

To mark our centenary, we are fundraising to raise enough money to be able to provide a Public Access Defibrillator (AED) for use by the community in times of life threatening emergencies.

When a person has a sudden cardiac arrest, the normal rhythm of the heart becomes disrupted and disorganised, which means their heart can’t beat properly and they won’t be able to breathe normally. For every minute that someone’s in cardiac arrest without receiving CPR and having a defibrillator used on them, their chance of survival decreases by 10%. That’s why it’s so important to act immediately. A defibrillator gives a jolt of energy to the heart, which can help restore the heart’s rhythm, and get it beating normally again. This simple piece of equipment is easy to use and doesn’t require training, but it could make the difference between life and death – so it’s important to be able to access and use a defibrillator in an emergency.

The defibrillator will be fitted to the outside of our hall on Greenway Drive and be available for use by the local community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks of the year via the 999 line. Unlike the machine that we already have, it will not be taken for use by St John Cymru Wales at our community events, but will remain in place for public use.

The Cost of providing and fitting the AED and secure storage box will be around £1700. We have already been supported by both Torfaen and Pontypool Community Councils but need your help to get the final total over the line.

Thank you all in Advance