A state-of-the-art defibrillator has been kindly donated to the Army Flying Museum at Middle Wallop from a campaign led by the Rugby League World Cup 2021, working alongside AEDdonate.

The Museum has secured one of only 35 AED’s as part of the campaign, which will see a publicly accessible defibrillator cabinet fitted to the side of the Museum.  Additional support for the installation has been given by local Test Valley Councillor Stewart MacDonald, as part of the councillor community grants scheme, to ensure the Museum is able to provide the cabinet required for the AED donation.   

The defibrillator will ensure that anyone experiencing life threatening heart trauma and in need of having their heart re-started will have a greater chance of survival.

 Lucy Johnson, Chief Executive of the Army Flying Museum, commented: “We are thrilled to have a potentially life-saving defibrillator installed at the Museum and though I hope we never have to use it, it is reassuring to both our visitors and us to know it is there. We are so thankful to Councillor MacDonald for his support.”

Jamie Richards, Chief Executive of AEDdonate, said: “Ideally, a defibrillator needs to be available within a two-minute brisk walk of the cardiac incident. 

The Rugby League World Cup defibrillators have been provided to communities all over the UK and we thank them for their generous donation. This has meant that some communities working with us to fundraise for an AED, have only had to fund the cabinet and installation.

This installation has been another real boost to our defibrillator network and AEDdonate would be delighted to support any further fundraising projects in the future.”

Having the defibrillator installed at the Museum means that it can be deployed by the local ambulance trust in a bid to give a patient the all-important shock to the heart prior to the ambulance arrival.

Commenting on the initiative, Councillor MacDonald said:

“I’m delighted Test Valley Borough Council have been able to help support the installation of the defibrillator through the Councillor Community Grant scheme. This is a potentially life-saving bit of kit and it’s great to see that the Army Flying Museum have been able to secure one.”