The total means the London Heart Starters campaign is half way to meeting its ambitious goal to buy 200 life-saving defibrillators across the capital.

Defibrillators bought as a result of the campaign are now installed ready to help people whose hearts have stopped beating, known as cardiac arrest,  in high-need areas.

Two of these devices are the result of a partnership between the London Ambulance Charity and the British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) Community Defibrillator Funding Programme.

Mick Smith, a member of the King’s Heart Church in Havering, has worked closely with the Charity to get a defibrillator installed outside his church.

He said: “Last year, while attending first aid training at the church, it became clear to me that having a defibrillator on site wasn’t just important for our club members, but for the entire community.

“Having gone through multiple open-heart surgeries, I understand just how vital it is to have life-saving resources like defibrillators accessible. This isn’t just for our church members; it’s for anyone in need.”

Lucy Mayer reports on new CPR figures released by South East Coast Ambulance Service to mark Heart Month back in February.