Timed to coincide with World Restart a Heart Day, the Rotary Club of Leighton Linslade today launched its Neighbourhood Defibrillators Project — a community-driven initiative aimed at dramatically improving access to lifesaving equipment across Leighton Buzzard and surrounding areas.
The project’s goal is simple but urgent: to help ensure that every resident is only a few minutes away from a defibrillator — and feels confident using it in an emergency. “Every minute counts when someone suffers a cardiac arrest,” said Chris Roberts, President of Leighton Linslade Rotary. “Around 80% of cardiac arrests happen at home, and currently only 1 in 10 people survive. But if CPR and a defibrillator are used within the first 3–5 minutes, survival chances rise dramatically. Our goal is to empower local neighbourhoods with the knowledge and confidence to act — and to save lives.” (there's more Chris in our interview below) What the Project Offers: Awareness: Educating communities on the benefits of having a defibrillator within a few minutes’ walk. Guidance: Helping neighbourhood groups identify trusted suppliers, understand costs, and manage equipment maintenance. Support: Assisting with fundraising ideas — while Rotary facilitates, it does not directly fund the purchase of defibrillators. Free Training: Thanks to a partnership with the Resuscitation Council UK, the project will offer free local training sessions in CPR and defibrillator use. How You Can Get Involved: Spread the word in your community. Attend a Discovery Evening to learn more: Thursday 30 October 2025 Wednesday 12 November 2025 Find out more and book your place at: The Rotary Club hopes this initiative will be a catalyst for local action — equipping streets and neighbourhoods with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to save lives when every second matters. We've been talking to President of the Club, Chris Roberts:
www.leightonlinsladerotary.com/defibs
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