STA is pleased to announce that Ewhurst Baptist Church in Surrey has become the ninth recipient of a life-saving defibrillator through its 2025 Community Heart STArters charity campaign.

Ewhurst Baptist Church is a small but active community hub that serves the village and wider locality. While its regular congregation numbers are around 35, the church facilities are used throughout the week by a diverse range of community groups, activity clubs, and private renters. These include a popular Toddlers Group, weekly choir rehearsals, and a much-valued once-a-month Lunch Club for older residents – many of whom have known pre-existing health conditions, including heart conditions, placing them at higher risk of cardiac arrest.

With people of all ages using the building for worship, social activities, health and wellbeing services, and community gatherings, the church identified an urgent need for an accessible defibrillator that would protect not only its congregation but also the many local residents who rely on the facility.

“We host a wide cross-section of the community every week, from young families to older folk who may be particularly vulnerable in an emergency,” said Dave Smith from Ewhurst Baptist Church, who, as a former swimming teacher and lifeguard, and now an STA-trained First Aider, expressed his thanks for the donation.

He said: “For some of our attendees, especially those living with heart conditions, the time it takes for emergency services to arrive can be too long. Having a defibrillator available on site will now provide the immediate, life-saving intervention needed in those first few minutes and give reassurance to everyone who walks through our doors.”

Dave Candler, CEO of STA, said: “Ewhurst Baptist Church plays an important role as a community hub, offering essential support, companionship, and wellbeing services to local residents. With vulnerable groups regularly using the facilities, it is vital that life-saving equipment is accessible when needed. We’re delighted to support them with this donation and help strengthen safety for everyone who uses the church.”

All defibrillators donated through STA’s Community Heart STArters charity campaign are registered on The Circuit, the British Heart Foundation’s national defibrillator network. This ensures emergency services can direct 999 callers to the nearest available device when every second counts.

The Community Heart STArters campaign will continue throughout 2025, with STA providing defibrillators to grassroots, charitable, and community organisations across the UK – uniting communities and saving lives.

To learn more about STA’s Community Heart STArters campaign and how to apply, please go to www.sta.co.uk/community-heart-STArters