Stations are often at the heart of communities and never more so than on the Heart of Wales line which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. Much of the line runs through rural communities in Carmarthenshire, Powys and Shropshire.

Every second counts when someone is having a cardiac arrest. Survival rates are extremely poor at only 3% but when a Defibrillator is used, rates can increase to up to 50% so timely intervention is essential.

Arriva Trains Wales are partnering with the charity Welsh Hearts to deliver a Public Access Defibrillator at all 28 stations on the Heart of Wales line. We will be "Looking after the Heart of Wales". These defibrillators will be for everyone and really could help save a life.

To launch the campaign, Welsh Hearts are donating one defibrillator and Arriva Trains Wales are donating another. 

Charity Director Sharon Owen says:

”As a Charity our passion is to see safer communities and more lives saved. We believe the impact on having more Public Access Defibrillators at train stations will be far-reaching given the sheer number of travellers daily. Lives should not be lost, due to a lack of a defibrillator in the event of an emergency. They should be available everywhere. We are honoured to be working with Arriva Trains to make the vision of a safer Wales a reality.”

Each defibrillator and heated storage cabinet costs £1490 so we really do need your help to achieve this goal and any donation big or small will help us get there. Thank you for your support.