A man from Somerset has paid for a defibrillator for his neighbourhood after discovering a lack of them in the area.
Dennis Wood, 80, from Burnham-on-Sea, had a heart attack in 2016 and wanted to see where his nearest machine was just in case.
He said: “I just thought why not get ahead and purchase a defibrillator? Everyone was so thankful in our street.
“I have a weaker heart than most so I thought, the more defibs in the area, the merrier I suppose – they save lives.”
Mr Wood bought the defibrillator through the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance’s Life Support initiative.
Rosie Cornelilus-Light, who coordinates the Life Support project, said: “Our crew can be anywhere within Dorset and Somerset in approximately 20 minutes.
“But the care a patient receives before we arrive can play a vital role in saving their life.
“By placing a defibrillator in his community, Dennis has made a meaningful difference to those around him.”
Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance said around a quarter of the calls it attends are cardiac arrests with defibrillators being a “vital” tool in preventing loss of life.
