LIFE-saving equipment is now available to the public outside six police stations in Warwickshire, thanks to the tireless efforts of a bereaved county mum who set up a charity in her son’s memory.
Publicly-accessible defibrillators have been installed outside stations in Leamington, Rugby, Stratford, Alcester, Bedworth and Nuneaton.
Warwickshire Police also has 33 defibrillators installed in specialist police cars across the county.
The force has been working with the OurJay Foundation, set up by Rugby woman Naomi Rees-Issitt following the tragic death of her 18-year-old son Jamie Rees from a cardiac arrest in 2022.
Since then, the charity has installed over 360 defibrillators across Warwickshire and beyond, while raising awareness of their importance and providing training in life-saving skills.
A police spokesperson said officers were delighted with the new difibrillators.
They said: “They’ve come about because of the inspirational work of Naomi.
“Our officers were the first on the scene when Jamie went into cardiac arrest in 2022 and immediately began administering CPR.
“With an ambulance en route, we radioed for urgent back up from an officer who got hold of a defib and was racing over to bring it to us.
“But sadly, Jamie later passed away in hospital. Doctors believe that if there had been a defibrillator closer, Jamie might still be alive.
“We couldn’t be more proud of Naomi and everyone at OurJay.”
Visit www.ourjay.org.uk for more information on the charity.
