A Bridlington resident is leading a grassroots effort to install a publicly accessible defibrillator in the neighbourhood, aiming to bring lifesaving equipment closer to home in a community with limited immediate access.
Graham Bates, who lives on Nidderdale Close on the Crake estate, has launched the campaign after discovering that the nearest defibrillators are either locked behind access codes or over a mile away, a distance that can prove critical in an emergency. Despite some being listed on the national defibrillator network, ‘The Circuit’, not all are accessible when needed most. “And even then, if you don’t know what a defibrillator is or where to go, you’re already losing time,” says Graham.
As Bridlington no longer has an accident and emergency department, the closest is in Scarborough, approximately 19 miles or around 40 minutes away. In peak summer months, with traffic and increased visitor numbers, that journey can take significantly longer.
“The ambulance service does a great job, but if they’re held up getting to someone, every minute counts,” added Graham.
Graham explained, “I’ve not been personally affected by cardiac arrest, but I know if someone collapses at home, you’ve got just five minutes to get a defibrillator to them. That’s not possible if it’s locked away or a mile up the road.”
Graham has proposed installing the defibrillator on the front of his own home, visible from the street and accessible 24/7. His initiative is part of the wider My Community Defib project, which supports residents across the UK to fund, install, and maintain local defibrillator units. The package includes an unlocked, weatherproof cabinet with a four-year guarantee covering theft, damage, or malfunction, removing the burden of future costs from local donors.
The area Graham is targeting is north-east of Bridlington, which is home to many older residents, including single-occupant households. However, with the population rapidly increasing during the summer season, ambulance resources do not increase to match seasonal demand, further underscoring the need for fast, local emergency response.
Despite broad support for the idea, Graham has so far raised just over 20% of the total needed, despite leafleting more than 250 homes at his own expense.
“If each household gave just £10, less than the price of a first-class stamp per year over four years, we’d be there already,” he said. “And while that £10 assumes two people per property, some homes have just one occupant. So, I’m asking people to give what they can. This defibrillator isn’t just for me. It’s for everyone in the area – neighbours, visitors, anyone who might need it.”
You can support Graham’s campaign by donating at: https://www.mycommunitydefib.co.uk/project/nidderdale-close-bridlington
Graham added: “We’re calling on all local residents and businesses to step forward and help fund this critical piece of community infrastructure. Your support could save a life, possibly that of a neighbour, friend, or loved one.”
To learn more about the My Community Defib movement, or to start your own campaign, visit https://www.mycommunitydefib.co.uk/
