What a day!! 

On Sunday, 8th September, we were thrilled to be joined by over 200 supporters who took on the London Life Hike and fundraised for our London Heart Starters Campaign. This campaign will help save even more lives in the capital by funding more public-access defibrillators in neighbourhood where they are most needed. 

We weren't sure about the weather when our team headed to start setting up the Battersea Band Stand at 7:00 am, but the rain held (mostly) and we enjoyed sunshine and warmth for most of the route. Despite a brief downpour, our 5km finishers still wore smiles underneath their umbrellas. 

Olivia Peters, Community & Events Fundraiser, successfully planned the inaugural flagship event in it's entirety. Of the day, she said, "I am incredibly touched by the wonderful community of people who gathered together to support this great cause. Thanks to everyone's incredible fundraising, the event raised an astounding £24,000 - enough to fund 15 defibrillators!" 

Every day, London Ambulance Service attends 35 cardiac arrests across the capital.  A cardiac arrest is when the heart stops beating and without help, that person will die. Sadly, less than one in ten of these individuals will survive. We already know that early CPR and defibrillation can significantly improve the chances that someone lives another day. 

By providing public-access defibrillators, located in areas where more are needed, and training the surrounding community how to perform CPR and defibrillation, more people will have the skills and confidence to provide this life-saving action before paramedics arrive. 

London Life Hikers and members of the public passing by the Battersea Park Bandstand had the opportunity to learn CPR and defibrillation at our London Lifesavers Tent in the event village. Other stalls included the Historic Collection Team of old ambulances and motorbikes, a kids activity stall, and one of the charity-funded LAS Wellbeing Support Vehicles. 

It was a great day, celebrating the incredible people working for LAS and working together, as a community, to help save lives in London. 

We do hope you'll join us for next year's hike...sign up for our Charity Newsletter to learn more about our impact and how you can get involved.