Staffordshire-based AEDdonate was set up in 2014 by a firefighter determined to do whatever he could to improve the outcomes of sudden cardiac arrest.

Fast forward to 2023 and it has facilitated more than 4,500 lifesaving defibrillators around the UK and Jamie Richards has left his role with the fire service to focus on being the charity’s CEO, including setting up three charity shops and a donation centre.

“At AEDdonate our mission is to help communities protect themselves against sudden cardiac arrest,” said Jamie.

“Defibrillators should be available to all communities, and our charity promises to provide them. As champions of our community, we pledge our support from the beginning.

“We can all play a role in the fight to prevent lives lost to sudden cardiac arrest. Let’s work together to keep more families together. Regardless of how big or small our contribution might be, we can all make a difference.”

Sudden Cardiac Arrest kills around 100,000 people every year in the UK.

AEDdonate is committed to improving survival from out of hospital cardiac arrests by supporting the placement and use of automated external defibrillators (AED) to local communities.

It achieves this by giving communities the opportunity to fundraise or purchase an AED which can then be registered with the local ambulance trust for use in an emergency.

Amber Mottershead, AEDdonate’s charity development officer, said: “In 2023 we aim to partner with as many businesses as we can with the objective to increase awareness around sudden cardiac arrest, CPR, basic life support and defibrillator training within local communities and workplaces. We can ultimately work together to save lives.

“As a charity we pride ourselves on the in-depth service that we provide to ensure that all people, of any ability, are comfortable enough to be able to save a life if they should need to.”

The charity’s objectives over the next three years are to continue to put defibrillators into communities nationally with the aim of placing 1,500 defibrillators per year.

AEDdonate has entered the Staffordshire University Business Awards in the Business in the Community and Small Business of the Year categories.