Cheltenham Salvation Army installs life-saving defibrillator to bolster community safety

In the heart of Cheltenham, where the Salvation Army Church has long been a beacon of hope and support for the vulnerable, a new lifeline has been installed—one that could mean the difference between life and death for someone in cardiac arrest.   

 The Cheltenham Salvation Army Church has proudly unveiled a publicly accessible defibrillator (AED) mounted outside its hall, ensuring that both congregants and passers-by have immediate access to this critical piece of emergency equipment.  

Every year, more than 30,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals in the UK, with only one in 10 victims surviving. The British Heart Foundation says there are around 100,000 hospital admissions each year due to heart attacks: that's one every five minutes. 

For Tom and Rachel Dunham, leaders of the Cheltenham Salvation Army Church, the new defibrillator represents more than just a piece of equipment—it’s a symbol of hope and a tangible way to serve the community.   

Tom and Rachel said, “We are pleased to contribute in a small way to saving lives. The Salvation Army is a platform on which the vulnerable can lean, breathe again, and find hope. Heart attacks happen when we are least prepared, and without the right knowledge or tools, lives can be lost. Now, we can tell our community that at the Salvation Army, there is hope—and a chance at life.”   

The defibrillator, mounted on the exterior of the church building, is accessible 24/7, ensuring that anyone in the vicinity can use it in an emergency. It is owned and maintained by the local Salvation Army congregation. Its installation underscores the Salvation Army’s commitment to creating a safer, more caring community for all.   

 The Salvation Army Cheltenham is a community-focused church and charity dedicated to providing support, hope, and care to those in need. For more information about The Salvation Army in Cheltenham visit Cheltenham | The Salvation Army.