Charity grant launches to boost CPR training in deprived areas of West Midlands

Organisations and community groups in deprived UK areas are being empowered to save lives through new community grants aimed at organising CPR training and awareness events.

A West Midlands medic is leading the campaign offering CPR training in some of the most deprived areas of the West Midlands.

Naomi Reeves is a clinical lead from the West Midlands for The Resuscitation Council UK. They are leading on funding in the region and is offering faith groups, small community groups and small charities in the region up to £1,500 to offer potentially life-saving training.

"We want to make sure that those underserved communities, with regards to training and awareness about using defibrillators, are served much better. They can utilise these community grants hopefully, to imporve training in that area."

With Restart A Heart month approaching in October, the initiative addresses the alarming statistics that over 100,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur annually in the UK, with figures for the West Midlands being below the national average - showing less than 1 in 13 people here survive cardiac arrest. Each minute without CPR or defibrillation reduces survival chances by 10%.

The Resuscitation Council UK is offering grants of up to £1,500 to small charities, community groups and faith groups (with an annual income of less than £500,000). This funding will boost community engagement in CPR and defibrillator awareness, providing critical life-saving skills to the most in need.

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