A publicly accessible defibrillator was installed at Oakwood Court in Annfield Plain as part of a £62,000 project designed to save lives across the North East.
The Stanley-area housing scheme was among 38 Karbon Homes developments for people aged over 55 that received the potentially life-saving devices.
The rollout received £34,000 through Karbon’s Unlocking Social Value Fund, alongside £28,000 in matched funding from Red Sky Foundation.
Oakwood Court resident Malcolm Charlaw welcomed the investment after previously raising the need for a defibrillator at a customer forum meeting.
He said: “I thought it was a no-brainer to have equipment on site which increases the chances of someone surviving a cardiac emergency.
“I love the fact that you don’t have to be medically trained to use it and help someone.
“It’s also brilliant that it’s available to others on the surrounding estate, not just Oakwood Court. Hopefully it’s never needed, but it’s there for everyone if it is.”
The external defibrillators were made accessible to residents and members of the wider community at any time.
Karbon Homes also took responsibility for maintaining the devices, including defibrillators that had already been installed at some of its supported housing schemes.
Jon McDonald, head of supported housing at Karbon Homes, said: “It’s brilliant to partner with Red Sky Foundation to increase such vital support for so many people across the North East.
“All of our over-55s housing schemes and their surrounding communities can be reassured that a defibrillator is now on their doorstep.
“The rollout followed requests from our customers for this life-saving facility. We are also training our on-site and community colleagues to use the devices and raising awareness so more people know where their nearest defibrillator is.”
Each device was registered with The Circuit, the national defibrillator network connected to ambulance service control centres.
This enabled emergency call handlers to direct members of the public to the closest available device during a cardiac arrest.
Red Sky Foundation was established by Sunderland couple Sergio and Emma Petrucci MBE in 2020 and supports babies, children and adults living with complex heart conditions.
Founder and chief executive Sergio Petrucci said: “We are incredibly grateful to Karbon Homes for its generous contribution to these life-saving defibrillators.
“Having accessible equipment like this can be the difference between life and death in an emergency.
“It’s inspiring to see organisations taking proactive steps to protect the health and wellbeing of their communities. Together, we are helping to create safer spaces and ultimately save lives.”
