Appeal aims to put defibrillators in 100 locations

14 hours ago

Pamela TickellNorth East and Cumbria

News image — Whitehaven business Downton Travel installed a Morley's defibrillator last month

Supplied Three people standing in front of the yellow defibrillator box installed on the wall. There is a woman wearing a green ambulance uniform on the left. Paul Downton, in the middle, is shaking hands with William Morley on the right. They are also both holding the orange defibrillator bag. All three are smiling at the camera. A plaque above the wall-mounted box reads: "In loving memory of Billy Morley". — Whitehaven business Downton Travel installed a Morley's defibrillator last month

The family of a 45-year-old father who died after a cardiac arrest hope to install 100 defibrillators in his memory.

Billy Morley from Cleator Moor, Cumbria, died in June 2024 at a venue that did not have the life-saving device and since then his family have helped install 68 devices across the county as part of The Morley's Defib Appeal.

Paul Downton, who paid to have one installed one at his taxi business in Whitehaven, knew Morley and said it was "the best money we have spent in a long time".

"It's nice just to see the plaque there above it and hopefully my little investment could save some family the heartache that Billy's passing has caused to his family," he said.

A plaque above defibrillators installed by the appeal reads "In loving memory of Billy Morley", who was a builder in the area.

How to use a defibrillator and save a life

Downton, director of Downton Travel Limited, said he funded a device as it was the responsible thing to do for his 30 staff.

"It's quite reassuring when you come in, you see that bright yellow glow off the box on the side of the building," he said.

"It's silly not having a life-saving device nearby, you just never know."

Twenty-six defibrillators were also installed on all Masonic buildings in Cumberland and Westmorland, including at Alston, Workington, Kendal and Brampton.

Neil Dixon from Cumbria Freemasons said the organisation was "very proud" to have funded them.

"By installing defibrillators in accessible locations, we're helping to create safer places for everyone," he said.

Family handout Billy Morley and his wife Ashley have their heads pushed together and are smiling brightly at the camera. Mr Morley has short, dark hair and a grey beard. — Billy Morley, pictured with his wife Ashley, died in 2024

Morley's father William, 71, said it would be "absolutely fantastic if we can get 100 defibrillators out there to help save lives".

He said they had heard of five of their devices being used, and that "every patient has been alive when they got to hospital, so it's given them a chance".

The team gets discounts on defibrillators in partnership with the North West Ambulance Service, and can get them fitted, registered and help train people to use them.

Morley said each device costs them £1,450.

The team is fundraising to install them in the community, and has offered help to anyone who wanted to finance it themselves.

He said: "I am a bit forward with this, [but] it's saving lives so if you can help save a life, isn't it worth it?"

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