Life-Saving Defibrillator Installed at GWAAC Brockworth Shop
A potentially life-saving public access defibrillator has been officially unveiled outside the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) shop located at 7 Court Road in Brockworth, Gloucestershire. This critical medical device is now available 24 hours a day, providing the local community with immediate access in emergency situations.
Unveiling by Former Rugby Star Jake Polledri
The defibrillator was unveiled by former Gloucester rugby forward and Italian Rugby Union player, Jake Polledri, who represents the Sam Polledri Foundation. This foundation was established in memory of his younger brother, Sam, who tragically passed away from a sudden cardiac arrest in 2022 at the age of 24. The Sam Polledri Foundation collaborates closely with GWAAC to fundraise for and install publicly accessible defibrillators across Gloucestershire and Bristol, significantly enhancing survival chances for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.
Local supporters, Brockworth shop staff, customers, and Caroline Kivungi, the Defibrillator Officer for GWAAC, all attended the unveiling ceremony. This installation marks a milestone as it coincides with the shop celebrating its first successful year of trading on the high street. Since its opening, the shop has become an integral part of the community, raising essential funds for the charity's life-saving operations and offering valuable volunteering opportunities for local residents.
Community Impact and Statements
Samantha Hyde, the Brockworth Shop Manager at Great Western Air Ambulance Charity, expressed her gratitude, stating: "I would like to thank the Sam Polledri Foundation for making this much-needed defibrillator possible. It will be a great benefit to the local community, and I hope it raises awareness of heart health and encourages more people to undertake CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) training to help others."
Jake Polledri commented: "This is our 81st defibrillator that we've installed across Gloucestershire and Bristol. It's important from a personal point of view as I lost my younger brother Sam to a cardiac arrest. He had no previous conditions, so you never know who needs it and when they need it. Having these publicly accessible defibrillators available at all times is vital. The fact we can work with Great Western Air Ambulance Charity to put these defibrillators in is amazing."
Free CPR Training Session Announced
To celebrate the installation of the new Brockworth defibrillator, GWAAC is inviting local residents to attend a free drop-in session at the shop on March 26 from 11am to 1pm. This event provides an excellent opportunity for community members to learn life-saving CPR techniques and how to properly use a defibrillator. The charity's Heartstarters volunteers will demonstrate a simple step-by-step process, enabling participants to gain crucial skills within minutes. No prior booking is required, and everyone interested in learning how to save a life is encouraged to attend and help make Brockworth a safer environment for all.
Background and Urgency of Installation
The installation of this defibrillator was prompted by a recent cardiac arrest incident that affected a member of the local community on the village high street in January. In response to this emergency, GWAAC partnered with SC Electrical, who generously donated their time and expertise to install the device. Through its Great Western Hearts programme, GWAAC's mission is to save more lives by deploying community defibrillators and providing essential training.
In 2025, which was GWAAC's busiest year to date, the crew responded to 145 cardiac arrest cases in Gloucestershire alone, accounting for 21 percent of all missions in the region. When someone experiences a cardiac arrest, early intervention by bystanders before the arrival of emergency services is crucial for survival. Statistics show that every minute without CPR or defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by approximately 10 percent. Therefore, having defibrillators publicly accessible and within a five-minute return walk is absolutely critical.
A defibrillator functions by delivering an electric shock to the heart to restore a normal rhythm. When used promptly alongside CPR, defibrillation forms a vital component of the chain of survival, which also includes early recognition of cardiac arrest and immediately calling emergency services.
Regional Deployment and Acknowledgments
GWAAC extends its heartfelt thanks to the support from local communities, individuals, and partnerships, which have enabled the placement of 209 defibrillators across its entire operational region. This region encompasses Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire, Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, and parts of Wiltshire.
