South Western Railway is investing more than half a million pounds in order to install publicly accessible automated external defibrillators at its staffed stations which it operates across South West London, Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire, Dorset, Wilshire, Somerset, and Devon. The installation of the lifesaving defibrillators comes as part of the rail operators’ commitment to support safety and serve local communities.

Located in protective cabinets as close as possible to the front of stations, the defibrillators will be available for use day and night in the instance of cardiac issues in the surrounding area.

Approximately 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen each year in the UK of which just 1 out of 10 people survive according to estimates made by The British Heart Foundation. Every minute is crucial in the event of cardiac arrest and the immediate use of CPR and the use of defibrillators can see survival rates doubled, therefore, an increase in the availability of lifesaving devices is vital to local communities.

Both station staff and local ambulance services will hold the codes which enable the defibrillators to be unlocked from their cabinets and access and are given to members of the public in an emergency.

South Western Railway’s defibrillator locations will be included in ‘The Circuit’ which is the British Heart Foundations database and makes the devices visible to NHS ambulance services who are then able to direct 999 callers to its location.

The defibrillators feature a heating system which enables them to maintain a normal operating temperature and a monitoring system which sends out an alert should malfunctions occur or the battery becomes low allowing it to be constantly ready for use.

The machines will begin to see installation across South Western Railway’s staffed stations during March with completion expected during the summer months.

The rail operator revealed the defibrillator installation project alongside the naming of one of its trains after the Alex Wardle Foundation in a ceremony held at London Waterloo station on the 14th of March.

❤️We have announced that we will be installing publicly accessible, lifesaving defibrillators at all 154 of our staffed stations, available day and night.

The announcement was made as we dedicated one of our trains to the Alex Wardle Foundation at a ceremony in London Waterloo. pic.twitter.com/XcwvaxMdrJ

— SWR Help (@SW_Help) March 15, 2023

South Western Railway is partnering with the foundation in a bid to raise awareness of sudden arrhythmic death syndromes or SADS which is when unexpected cardiac arrest causes death often in young and often seemingly healthy people.

The Alex Wardle Foundation was set up in memory of Alex who was a medical student and also the son of South Western Railway operations trainer Steve Wardle. Alex sadly passed from SADS in March 2016 and the charity aims to build awareness of SADS and also to prevent deaths from the condition.

A class 444 train saw South Western Railways Managing Director Claire Mann and Steve Wardle unveil the Alex Wardle Foundation logo on car number 23 which was Alex’s age when he passed away.

The charity has managed to raise over £7,000 since it was set up and is used to contribute to community defibrillators alongside training courses for their use. The foundation’s excellent work has directly inspired the rail operator’s choice to fund defibrillators at all of its staffed stations.

Claire Mann, Managing Director of South Western Railway, said:

“I’m honoured to have unveiled SWR’s Alex Wardle Foundation train at London Waterloo today alongside Alex’s inspirational father Steve, who has served the railway for so many years and whose foundation we are proud to support.

“Sudden arrhythmic death syndrome and other heart conditions can impact us all. As part of SWR’s commitment to the local communities we serve, I’m so pleased that we are installing defibrillators at every single one of our staffed stations, which could very well prove to be lifesaving.”

Steve Wardle, Alex Wardle’s father and founder of the Alex Wardle Foundation, said:

“It is wonderful to see this vision come to life. Having worked on the railway for nearly 40 years, I am thankful of the railway family’s support. March 2023 will mark 7 years since Alex’s death and, although I am still a grieving parent, I feel proud of everything that we have achieved to support our community.

“This is such a momentous occasion and a showcase of everyone’s dedication. Defibrillators save lives and I hope that one day if needed, it will save someone and their family true heartbreak. We are extremely grateful, and this is such an exciting opportunity.”

To find out more about the Alex Wardle Foundation please visit https://www.thealexwardlefoundation.org/