Residents welcome life-saving defibrillator in John Barker Place
Residents of John Barker Place in Hitchin have recently celebrated the installation of a life-saving defibrillator, donated by Settle in partnership with the Justin Edinburgh 3 (JE3) Foundation. This has been placed at Kingfisher House, at the corner of John Barker Place and Mattocke Road, and will be accessible to all residents in the event of a cardiac emergency.
A defibrillator can deliver a life-saving electric shock to the heart of someone suffering a cardiac arrest, helping to restore a normal heart rhythm while awaiting medical assistance
Joe Williams, Director of Housing at Settle, local Councillor Claire Billing, and residents were on hand to welcome Charlie Edinburgh, founder of the JE3 Foundation. The charity was created in memory of Charlie’s father, Justin Edinburgh—a former Tottenham Hotspur player and Leyton Orient manager—who tragically passed away five years ago after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest.
The JE3 Foundation aims to improve survival rates after cardiac arrests by increasing access to defibrillators and offering CPR training across the country.
Joe Williams spoke about the importance of the installation: “We’re very pleased to install this defibrillator, which could be the difference between life and death for someone in the area experiencing a cardiac arrest. We have collaborated with residents from Kingfisher House, who asked that we look into one at a meeting earlier in the year. It was best summed up on the day by one resident telling us it gave him ‘peace of mind’ having it located near to where he lives.”
“It’s been a privilege to work with the JE3 Foundation to meet this need, and we’re proud to support a charity that truly prioritises saving lives. With the defibrillator now in place, residents of John Barker Place and the surrounding area can feel more secure, knowing they have access to critical equipment in case of an emergency.”
Councillor Clare Billing said: “I am pleased the Settle has listened to residents of Kingfisher House and installed this crucial life-saving device that demonstrates their commitment to the health and wellbeing of their residents. With this addition, the community has access to be able to respond to cardiac emergencies and provide immediate assistance when it matters most.”
Charlie Edinburgh from JE3 Foundation added: “We are delighted to be able to work with Settle to provide this potentially life-saving equipment. Our aims and ambitions are to continue saving lives in the face of cardiac arrest. With this latest donation we will see a community benefit and have peace of mind should they ever need to utilise this defibrillator.”
