Four Scots M&S stores install lifesaving new defibrillators as part of charity partnership

Four M&S stores in Scotland have recently installed new defibrillators as part of a charity partnership aimed at saving lives. The British Heart Foundation has teamed up with retail giant Marks & Spencer in this initiative, with Cumbernauld and Hamilton in Lanarkshire joining the Forge Parkhead and Port Glasgow branches in installing these lifesaving devices.

M&S is collaborating not only with the British Heart Foundation but also with the Resuscitation Council UK, St John Ambulance, and NHS ambulance services to register all defibrillators on the charity’s national defibrillator network called The Circuit. The aim is to map defibrillators across the UK to assist ambulance services in locating the nearest device when responding to a cardiac arrest. According to the British Heart Foundation, over 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the UK annually, and every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces the chances of survival by up to 10%.

The British Heart Foundation is one of M&S’ Sparks partners, meaning that when customers choose to support the charity with their Sparks card, M&S donates 1p for each transaction. Since June 2020, over £80,000 has been contributed to the British Heart Foundation, aiding in research breakthroughs, clinical trials, and crucial CPR training.

David Anderson, M&S Regional Manager for Central Scotland, emphasised the importance of quick response in cardiac emergencies and expressed the company’s commitment to supporting the local community. Judy O’Sullivan, Director of Health Innovation Programmes at the British Heart Foundation, praised M&S for registering their defibrillators on The Circuit, highlighting the potential to save lives in the future.

The new defibrillators installed in Scottish M&S stores not only demonstrate a commitment to community health and safety but also showcase the power of partnerships between businesses and charitable organisations in making a tangible difference in people’s lives. By increasing access to these lifesaving devices and raising awareness about CPR and defibrillation, this initiative has the potential to save lives across the UK.

In conclusion, the collaboration between M&S and the British Heart Foundation to install defibrillators in several store locations in Scotland marks a significant step towards improving emergency response for cardiac arrests. By leveraging partnerships and technology to enhance access to these vital devices, the initiative underscores the importance of proactive community engagement and highlights the positive impact of corporate social responsibility initiatives on public health outcomes.