Defibrillator funding for your local community

What’s included in the award package

a defibrillator, complete with pads and kit accessories
a cabinet, which is not lockable (if awarded, the cabinet must be kept unlocked and uncoded. For more information on why this is part of our criteria, see the guidance from Resuscitation Council UK)
replacement pads and batteries when required (when they expire or are used with the defibrillator)
resources for RevivR online CPR training.

If you’re unable to install the cabinet yourself or with the help from your local community, this may be offered as part of the package.

Who can apply

You must be applying on behalf of a community group. Some examples of groups we accept are:

church organisations and other places of worship
social clubs
parish councils
local social enterprise organisations
community centres.

Conditions for applying

To be eligible for a free, BHF-funded defibrillator, you must:

keep the defibrillator in the provided cabinet, unlocked and uncoded so that it’s accessible to the public 24 hours a day
make sure that the cabinet has a constant electricity supply so that the defibrillator stays at the right temperature in cold weather and is visible in the dark
have a clear need for the device (for example, be in a busy location, or where a public access defibrillator (PAD) is not within 200 metres)
have authorisation from the property owner to install the defibrillator
register the defibrillator on The Circuit (the national defibrillator network) within 4 weeks of installation, to ensure ambulance call handlers can see your defibrillator when 999 is called in response to a cardiac arrest
be committed to promoting BHF’s free online RevivR CPR training in your community with the resources provided.

Who cannot apply

Unfortunately, we cannot give funding to:

individuals (if you've been recommended an individual defibrillator, speak to your cardiologist or doctor about how to get this equipment)
GP surgeries
dental practices
schools and colleges
military organisations
police
private or profit-making companies
emergency services
community first responders (unless they’re applying for a public access defibrillator to be placed in a fixed location in their local community).

If you’re not sure if your organisation is eligible, or you have a question about the application process, please check our FAQs to see if your question is answered. You can contact us at [email protected] if you still require support.

How to apply

A limited number of funded defibrillators are available in each annual funding cycle. Applications will be reviewed monthly against a set of criteria so awards can be made to communities that need them most. Areas prioritised include those with fewer registered defibrillators and communities where local health needs indicate a higher risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

To apply for a defibrillator, simply follow these steps:

Create an account – You'll need to provide an email address, password and name to register for an account and get access our application form.
Fill in our application form – It usually takes around 25 minutes to complete. Your progress saves automatically, so you can return to it at any time.
Submit your form – We recommend submitting your application within 1 week of beginning to apply. We’ll let you know if you’ve been successful.

Apply for a free defibrillator

FAQs

To learn more about the application process, The Circuit, and what to do when you receive your free defibrillator, read our answers to the most frequently asked questions.

If your application is unsuccessful

If you did not qualify for a free, BHF-funded defibrillator, there are still things you can do:

Buy a high-quality defibrillator from our shop

We offer defibrillators and accessories from leading brands for all your community needs. Our packages and resources are tailored to help you and are available directly from our online shop. By purchasing a defibrillator from the British Heart Foundation, you support lifesaving heart research.

Raise money in your community

As a community group, you can raise the money in cash by holding events like a bake sale, a walk-a-thon or a sponsored neighbourhood clean.

Raise local awareness of what you’re doing. Many communities have online or postal newsletters. You might also be able to get support from local groups on social media.

You could also contact the local media, such as radio and TV. If there’s a personal reason why you’re fundraising, or an inspiring story, you may be able to attract greater interest.

Use a crowdfunding platform

Crowdfunding is a way for people in your community to contribute money to your cause. Crowdfunding websites make it easy to collect the money and communicate with supporters.

Some popular crowdfunding sites include:

JustGiving
Crowdfunder
GoFundMe.

The Crowdfunder website offers advice and examples for raising money for defibrillators. Always check the small print before committing to using any crowdfunding website.

Any fundraising you do should be done the name of your organisation and not in that of BHF.

Look for other funding opportunities

There are things you can do to increase your chances of getting the funding needed to make a lifesaving defibrillator accessible to your community. Here are a few ideas:

Do a Google search for relevant programmes, grants or initiatives.
Check if your local or national government offers any defibrillator funding schemes.
Reach out to sports organisations as they may have programmes in place to promote cardiac safety in sports facilities.

How we fund our defibrillators

This campaign is possible thanks to the support of our corporate partners, Royal Mail, AJ Bell Futures Foundation and Sky Bet. Where successful, community groups receive awards from distinct, ringfenced funding administered by BHF, accounting for cultural and religious sensitivities of groups awarded a defibrillator package.