Local community organisations across West Dorset are invited to apply for government funding for potentially life-saving defibrillators.

The Department for Health and Social Care has allocated £1 million to purchase automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for public places where they are most needed in the event of a medical emergency, such as a heart attack.

Applicants will be asked to demonstrate that defibrillators will be placed in areas of high need – for example, places with high footfall or with a high demographic of vulnerable or elderly people; sports centres; and rural and remote areas. 

West Dorset MP Chris Loder is encouraging local community groups in his constituency to apply for the funding.

He said: "I would urge any local community organisation to apply for a grant as part of the community AED fund. Automated external defibrillators are accessible for anyone experiencing an unexpected cardiac arrest.

"I will support any organisation in West Dorset, that wishes to apply for a grant as AEDs can play a life-saving role, especially in rural communities"

For more information or to apply for the funding, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bids-invited-for-1-million-defibrillator-fund