British Heart Foundation reopens free defibrillator scheme to save lives in local communities in Derry

British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland (BHF NI) is now inviting applications from Derry for its Community Defibrillator Funding Programme.

There are around 1,400 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) each year in Northern Ireland, but less than one in 10 people survive.

Quick CPR and defibrillation can more than double the chances of survival. It is vital that all communities have defibrillators available to help increase the chances of survival, but many areas do not.

For every minute without defibrillation and CPR, OHCA survival chances decrease by up to 10%. Installing a defibrillator in these areas can help lead to better OHCA outcomes as early defibrillation, particularly within 3-5 minutes of a cardiac arrest, can significantly improve survival rates.

The charity is urgently encouraging eligible communities to apply to their 2025 scheme. Successful applicants will receive a defibrillator and cabinet, and installation costs will be covered where required. Future replacement parts will be free of charge when they expire or are used in an emergency for up to 10 years. 

BHF’s community defibrillator programmes have helped fund 117 defibrillators across Northern Ireland over the past 10 years, with the lifesaving devices being placed in every county. 

Fearghal McKinney, Head of BHF Northern Ireland said: “Defibrillators save lives and make communities safer. Every defibrillator holds the power to help save someone’s life and is crucial in the chain of survival during a cardiac arrest. We've made progress here in Northern Ireland but there are still some areas without any defibrillators at all, and these communities need it most.

“We are delighted to be relaunching our community defibrillator scheme to reach the areas where we can make a difference and save lives from cardiac arrest.”

The awarded defibrillators will be registered on The Circuit, allowing emergency services to locate them when they are needed.

There are over 110,000 defibrillators registered on The Circuit: the national defibrillator network, but they are not evenly distributed and the BHF’s scheme aims to particularly help those areas that don’t have a defibrillator in close range.

BHF volunteer John Deery, a native of Eglinton, had a cardiac arrest at the Belfast Marathon in 2024 and his life was saved by the quick actions of bystanders performing CPR and defibrillation.

John said: “I know personally the importance of having a defibrillator in close proximity in the event of an emergency situation and I wouldn’t be alive today if it wasn’t for this lifesaving device.

“I would encourage all community groups to apply to this scheme and help give your loved ones, friends and those in your neighbourhood the best chance of survival.”

Check eligibility and apply for a BHF-funded defibrillator for your community before February 2026 – by doing so, you could help save a life: more information here