Lagan’s Foundation chosen as Charity of the Year by major defibrillator provider Safe Life UK & I

Safe Life UK & Ireland has chosen Lagan’s Foundation as its Charity of the Year and has pledged to donate £1 from the sale of every defibrillator this year.

It is the perfect partnership – Lagan’s Foundation provides home healthcare and respite for parents of children with congenital heart defects and Safe Life UK & I is part of a global group which delivers life-saving equipment and training.

The charity, which is based at Futura Park One, Middlebrook, Bolton, is being supported by all five businesses in the group. They are: 

• Heart Safety Solutions
• Defibstore
• Defib Machines
• Defibshop
• Defib Warehouse

Lagan’s Foundations’ devoted, highly skilled team provide specialist care and respite in the family home, alongside vital emotional support. The charity is also the only organisation in the UK offering donated respite care to families with children under five years, who would otherwise receive no help at all.

Safe Life UK & I’s partnership is the latest development in Lagan’s Foundation’s plans to grow their support services across the UK and Ireland.

Carren Bell, Founder and CEO of Lagan’s Foundation said: “We are delighted and incredibly grateful that the Safe Life UK & I group has chosen to support our families. Their generous donations will have a huge impact on the children we care for across the North West but their investment will also support our plans to expand and grow across the UK and Ireland.

“We sadly have a waiting list of families who need our support and many of them receive no help at all. For around £60 a week, we can provide two hours care to parents and given them a much needed break, knowing their children are safe and well cared for.”

David Greville, Managing Director of Heart Safety Solutions said: “We are delighted to support the incredible work of the Lagan Foundation. Their commitment to supporting families and strengthening local resilience is nothing short of inspiring. We are proud to stand behind their work and to support a mission that brings compassion to people when they need it most.”

Helen Barry, Managing Director of Defibstore, based in Sheffield and Tideswell, said: “When we heard what Lagan’s Foundation does, we didn’t need much convincing. These are remarkable families, loving, strong, and utterly devoted to their children. Lagan’s simply makes sure they don’t have to do it alone. That’s something we wanted to be part of.”

Jonathan Gilbert, Managing Director of Defib Machines, in Leeds, said: “By supporting Lagan’s Foundation, Safe Life is supporting a team who shares our dedication to cardiac care – but more than this, we support a team who provide relief to families who at the hardest times don’t need to further think about how they bridge the gap between hospital care and home life. That mental space at these times is vital and instead can be poured into their family. How it should be. We are proud to be working together to help support this amazing work.”

Lyndsey Hope, Managing Director of Defibshop, based in Irlam, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Lagan’s Foundation and being a small part of the team who help support families at a very traumatic time. It’s something none of us ever want to deal with, so being able to play our part through these donations, helping families who find themselves in this situation, we hope, will bring some comfort and support.”

Kerry Fairhurst, Head of Marketing & eCommerce at Defib Warehouse, also based in Irlam, said: “Lagan’s Foundation offers support to families and children under five years old who have congenital heart defects when they need it most.  Any support we can give that allows them to care for more children in this situation, can only be a good thing. We are proud to be supporting Lagan’s Foundation.”

If you are interested in supporting or fundraising for Lagan’s Foundation, please contact fundraising@lagans.org.uk or call 01204 800300.