This latest defibrillator has become the guardianship of the Mauricewood Primary Fundraising Team. It is accessible 24 hours a day at the main entrance to the school, and the fundraising team will look after and maintain the equipment to ensure that it is available to anyone who needs it. 

As part of a joint initiative with the British Heart Foundation (BHF), the homebuilder is donating potentially life-saving PADs to communities around the UK to help people who suffer from an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.  

During 2019, the BHF worked with Taylor Wimpey to train its employees in CPR skills and to provide every one of their building sites in the UK with a defibrillator. As part of its commitment to leaving a lasting legacy in the areas in which it builds, Taylor Wimpey is donating the defibrillators to local communities when their developments are completed.

Taylor Wimpey has also committed to ensuring all of its defibrillators are registered on The Circuit, the national defibrillator network, which is a joint venture from the British Heart Foundation, the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives, the Resuscitation Council UK and St John Ambulance. Data on defibrillators registered on The Circuit are visible on the despatch systems used by 999 call handlers. So, when a cardiac arrest occurs, the dispatcher can direct bystanders straight to the nearest defibrillator. This increases the chances of defibrillators being used quickly and significantly improves the chances of a successful resuscitation.

Peter Goldie, regional health, safety and environmental advisor for Taylor Wimpey East Scotland, said: “It’s so important to us that we give something back to the communities where we are building. Our partnership with the BHF is vitally important in helping to ensure that more defibrillators are available for people who might need them, and we are proud to be able to make this equipment readily accessible in the  Mauricewood area of Penicuik.”

Eleanor Watson, chair of the Mauricewood Primary Fundraising Team, added: “Along with everyone who accesses the school we are very grateful to Taylor Wimpey East Scotland for their generous gift of the defibrillator for the benefit of everyone.

“We have been working hard for several years to be able to bring a defibrillator to this part of Penicuik, and I am so pleased that we have managed to achieve this. Once installed outside the main entrance of the school, the Parent Fundraising Team will take care of the ongoing maintenance of the defibrillator and register it on The Circuit.”

Jane Cunningham, depute teacher at Mauricewood Primary, added: “We are delighted to have received this fabulous donation from Taylor Wimpey East Scotland. Their support demonstrates their commitment to the well-being of the Penicuik community as they develop new homes in our local area. We are also hugely grateful to our wonderful Parent Fundraising Team for working hard to secure this donation for the local community and for their commitment to providing ongoing maintenance.

David McColgan, head of BHF Scotland, said: “Every second counts when someone has a cardiac arrest, and we know that prompt CPR and defibrillation can double the chances of survival in some cases. Increasing the number of publicly accessible defibrillators in our communities, alongside more people learning CPR skills, can play a vital role in these critical moments. That is why we are delighted that Taylor Wimpey has contributed to the aims of the BHF by making a public access defibrillator available in the  Penicuik area as part of their wider local campaign. It could help save a life.” 

A defibrillator is a portable device that can be used by anyone to help restart the heart when someone suffers from a cardiac arrest and has stopped breathing. No specific training is needed, and the device will only deliver a shock to the heart if necessary. When someone has a cardiac arrest, every second counts. For every minute that passes without defibrillation and CPR the chances of survival decrease by around ten per cent.