AFH Wealth Management, based in Stoke Heath, Bromsgrove, has proudly donated a defibrillator to improve the response to cardiac emergencies in Finstall and Aston Fields, writes Oliver Cureton-Phillip.
The campaign began when AFH employee, Jenny Read, came upon a charity collection for a local defibrillator in Banners Restaurant in Aston Fields while collecting the firm’s Friday breakfast sandwiches.
Seeing there was a demand, Jenny quickly recalled AFH had a spare defibrillator available due to its not being needed after the closing of a subsidiary office.
Jenny contacted Bruce Hims, a local businessman who fundraises to supply defibrillators to communities in and around Bromsgrove. He said the defibrillator outside Banners would provide vital access in a cardiac emergency.
“A defibrillator can cost £1,500 or more, so a huge thank you to AFH for this generous donation.”
Defibrillators are essential in saving lives during cardiac arrests – they work by sending electric shocks to restore the heart’s normal beating rhythm.
Jenny said: “Every minute without defibrillation and CPR reduces a person’s chance of survival by seven to 10 per cent, making quick access to these devices critical in public spaces.”
She added AFH Wealth Management continued to champion health and safety schemes.
A defibrillator is available at AFH’s head office and the company will be participating in Restart a Heart Day on October 15 when employees and visitors will have the chance to learn how to perform CPR and confidently use a defibrillator.
