Rusthall Avenue Neighbours Raise Thousands for Defibrillator

Previously nearest life-saving equipment was on the High Road

The defibrillator is on Eridge Road

July 25, 2026

A group of neighbours in Rusthall Avenue, Chiswick, have successfully raised thousands of pounds to install a new public defibrillator on Eridge Road — a device they say could make the difference between life and death in the crucial minutes after a cardiac arrest. The bright yellow cabinet was fitted this week between Rusthall Avenue and St Albans Avenue, marking the culmination of a community effort that exceeded all expectations.

Residents launched their crowdfunding appeal earlier this year after realising that the nearest 24-hour accessible defibrillator was on Chiswick High Road, a distance they felt was simply too far when every second counts. In the UK, more than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur annually, and around 80% of them happen at home. Fewer than one in ten people survive — a statistic driven largely by time. For every minute without CPR and a defibrillator, survival chances drop by up to 10%.

The group set an initial fundraising target of £2,000, enough to cover a hospital-standard defibrillator, a heated outdoor cabinet, installation, ten years of running costs and links to basic life-support training. With donations pouring in from neighbours and supporters, they surpassed their goal, raising £2,380. The surplus will be donated to London Hearts, the charity that supported the initiative by supplying the equipment at cost and free of VAT.

One neighbour offered her wall on Eridge Road as the site for the cabinet, ensuring easy access from surrounding streets without affecting anyone’s frontage. Once installed, the device was registered on The Circuit, the national network used by ambulance services, meaning 999 call handlers can direct anyone nearby straight to it in an emergency.

The installation itself was carried out free of charge by Ben from BB Electricals.

The defibrillator is now available 24 hours a day, with access controlled by a code provided by the 999 operator. Crucially, anyone can use it — the device gives clear spoken instructions and requires no training.