Mike's story
A defib for Bristol: How Mike made his neighbourhood heart-safe.
Mike Quinn, 62, lives in a small close in Bristol with around 60 homes, most of them occupied by older residents. After suffering a heart attack himself, Mike decided to take action.
A harsh reality
“I was unlucky enough to have a heart attack at home last year. An ambulance was delayed, and when a friend rushed to collect the nearest defib, it turned out not to be there - it had been stolen. That really hit home for me - I thought, how many of these are actually working and available when people need them?”
Why MyCommunityDefib?
Motivated by his experience and the vulnerability of his neighbours, Mike invested in a defibrillator for his street.
What convinced him to choose MyCommunityDefib was the comprehensive package:
“I liked the fact that it wasn’t just about getting the defib. With MyCommunityDefib you know it’s looked after for four years - the pads are replaced if it’s ever used, and if it’s stolen or vandalised, it’s replaced. That really gives you peace of mind.”
A warm response
Within hours of delivery, Mike had the defibrillator mounted outside his home. He then posted notes through his neighbours’ doors explaining what had happened to him, where the defib was located, and reassuring them that it was accessible 24/7. “The response was amazing. I’ve had cards and messages through the door saying what a wonderful thing it is for the community. I didn’t do it for recognition - just to help. If it saves one life, it’s worth it.”
Mike's message to others
Mike’s advice to others is simple:
“Go for it. None of us expect something like this to happen, but it can happen to anyone. Having a defib nearby could mean the difference between life and death.”
Would you like to make your neighbourhood heart-safe too?