Wickes Partners with British Heart Foundation to Install Lifesaving Defibrillators in All 230 Stores
Wickes has partnered with the British Heart Foundation to roll out defibrillators across all 230 of its stores, ensuring that lifesaving equipment is available in the communities it serves. This initiative underscores Wickes' commitment to supporting heart health and providing critical assistance in emergency situations.
A defibrillator is a device that delivers a controlled high-energy electric shock to the heart of someone experiencing a cardiac arrest. This shock, known as defibrillation, is an essential component in the chain of survival and can significantly improve the chances of saving a life.
Wickes is actively registering its network of defibrillators onto The Circuit: The National Defibrillator Network - a system developed by the British Heart Foundation in partnership with Resuscitation Council UK, St John Ambulance, and the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives. The Circuit maps publicly accessible defibrillators, allowing 999 call handlers to quickly locate and direct people to the nearest registered device during an emergency.
Currently, Wickes has 238 defibrillators installed across its business, with 232 already registered on The Circuit. Some locations have multiple defibrillators, and while 91% of registered devices have completed the setup process, Wickes is working swiftly to ensure full registration. Additionally, The Circuit also sends maintenance reminders to defibrillator Guardians to ensure these lifesaving devices are always ready for use.
David Wood, CEO at Wickes, said:
"We are incredibly proud to partner with the British Heart Foundation to install defibrillators in all of our stores. We know that access to these devices can make a lifesaving difference, and we want to play our part in supporting our local communities. By ensuring our defibrillators are registered on The Circuit, we are helping to increase access to vital equipment that could save lives."
David Wood CEO at Wickes
In addition to installing defibrillators, Wickes will roll out the British Heart Foundation’s RevivR CPR training tool to its colleagues. This innovative tool teaches users CPR and defibrillation skills in just 15 minutes, equipping more people with the knowledge they need to act in a life-threatening situation.
Every year, over 30,000 people in the UK experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, yet fewer than one in ten survive. Immediate CPR and defibrillation can more than double a person’s chance of survival. Through this initiative, Wickes and the British Heart Foundation are working together to improve survival rates and make a real difference in communities nationwide.
For more information about defibrillators and The Circuit – The National Defibrillator Network visit: www.thecircuit.uk
Please get in touch with the Wickes Press Office at Clarion Communications on 020 7479 0910 or email wickes@clarioncomms.co.uk
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About Wickes
Wickes is a digitally led, service-enabled home improvement retailer. With an extensive range of products and DIY brands, a Kitchen & Bathroom design and installation service, domestic renewables installations of its Wickes Solar range, and a loyalty scheme for local trade, Wickes is the perfect partner to help with both small and large-scale projects. With 228 stores across the UK and an extended range online, it has everything customers need, whether an amateur DIY-er or trade professional.