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The Shipley Islamic Education Centre near Bradford received the lifesaving device as part of a BHF national community defibrillator scheme funded through money raised by Royal Mail staff.
Shipley Islamic Education Centre secretary general, Ashraf Miah said: “We told all the users of the centre to communicate to their families and neighbours that we had a defibrillator and that it was here unlocked and ready to be used.
“Just six months later it was used successfully on a man from the South Asian community who had a cardiac arrest at home.
“Someone ran to the centre and got it and used it on him and then the ambulance came and his life was saved. He was in his 60s and it happened without warning.
“The family came back to the centre to say thank you.
“You must suppose that if we had not been given the defibrillator then this man could very likely have died. We are so grateful to Royal Mail and the British Heart Foundation for giving us this.
“We are very aware that people from our community have a higher risk of developing coronary heart disease which can lead to cardiac arrests, so we feel better protected knowing this defibrillator is close to hand.
“The centre is used for so many things from prayer and study of the Quran to women’s groups, exercise classes and children’s groups. We are busy all the time with so many people coming and going. It is great that all of our neighbours know that this defibrillator is for them too and I would urge them to come and get it if they are ever near somebody who is receiving CPR.”
Some studies suggest that being of South Asian descent increases the risk of heart conditions such as a heart attack, according to the BHF. One study suggests that South Asians are almost twice as likely to develop coronary heart disease than White Europeans, a condition that leads to heart attack and stroke.
Thanks to the incredible efforts of Royal Mail colleagues, the partnership, which has reached its two-year anniversary, has so far raised £1 million, providing essential support for thousands of people in local communities.
Through a variety of fundraising activities—including running, cycling, trekking, and baking—Royal Mail colleagues have demonstrated unwavering dedication to the cause, contributing to this impressive total. The funds raised are directly supporting BHF’s Community Hearts Programme, which is making a real difference in local communities.
Director of Corporate Affairs & ESG at Royal Mail, Greg Sage said: “Royal Mail has been a trusted presence on the UK’s doorsteps and at the heart of communities for over 500 years. Our commitment to delivering for our customers and society extends beyond our core services and our partnership with BHF is helping to save lives in local communities by funding defibrillators like this one in Shipley.
“Raising £1 million in just two years is an extraordinary achievement, and it’s a direct result of the passion and dedication of our 130,000 colleagues across the country.”
Chief Executive of the British Heart Foundation, Charmaine Griffiths said: “Thanks to the incredible fundraising efforts of Royal Mail colleagues the partnership has raised £1 million for the British Heart Foundation, providing essential support for thousands of people in local communities. This comes at a time when the BHF has never been more needed.
“Every penny of this £1millon will support the BHF’s Community Hearts Programme, placing defibrillators in communities across the UK, increasing the support of our Heart Helpline, building on our heart health information, and training more young people in the lifesaving skill of CPR than ever before. I can’t wait to see what the second half of our partnership brings.”
