Staff are seeking to extend Defib’s legacy by raising funds for public-access defibrillators in the community, reports Marco Marcelline

Heartbroken Walthamstow Ambulance Station staff are seeking to honour the life of station cat Defib by raising money for public-access defibrillators in the community.

Defib, who passed away in January, was a treasured feline at the Wadham Road station, and a plan by management to rehouse him in late 2024 prompted a petition signed by over 60,000 people.

Speaking to the Echo previously, the petition starter said Defib (short for defibrillator) was a core and valued part of the team.

They said: “He’s part of the staff, people go to the station to specifically visit him. They love him. Defib is a loving, gorgeous cat. He’s a little bit needy, and loves cuddles. He also makes a meow that sounds like an ambulance siren.”

Now, staff are seeking to extend his legacy by raising funds through the London Ambulance Charity to support the London Heart Starters Campaign.

This initiative aims to increase the number of public-access defibrillators (PAD) across the capital and provide life-saving training to the community, with each PAD costing a total of £1,600 to purchase and install.

A paramedic using a defibrillator, Credit: London Ambulance Service

A defibrillator saves lives during cardiac arrest by delivering a high-energy electric shock to the heart, stopping chaotic, fatal rhythms (like fibrillation) and allowing the heart’s natural pacemaker to reset to a normal beat.

Defibrillators are easy to use, even if you’ve not had training – all you need to do is put the defibrillator pads on the person’s chest, before the defibrillator checks their heart rhythm and delivers a shock if they need one.

Some defibrillators do this automatically, while some will tell you to press a button to deliver the shock.

Donations so far total £694.

You can donate to the fundraising call here

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