Red Sky Foundation is delighted to see another life-saving defibrillator installed in the heart of a North East community, thanks to the support of long-standing charity partner Dyer and its next generation of young engineers.
The new publicly accessible defibrillator has been installed at Dyer’s Annfield Plain site in County Durham, helping to provide vital emergency equipment for local residents, businesses and visitors should someone suffer a cardiac arrest.
Red Sky Foundation gifted the defibrillator to Dyer following the 2026 Manufacturing Leaders’ Summit at New College Durham, where Dyer’s parent company, SST Group, supported the event as platinum sponsor.
Organised by Theo James Recruitment, the summit brought together more than 190 leaders from across the manufacturing sector and raised an incredible £11,000 for Red Sky Foundation, helping us continue our work supporting cardiac care and placing life-saving defibrillators throughout communities.
Rather than keeping the defibrillator solely for internal use, Dyer wanted to ensure it was placed somewhere it could have the greatest possible impact.
As part of their development programme, Dyer’s first-year apprentices worked alongside HSE Lead Matthew Dyer to research potential locations and assess where access to a public defibrillator would be most beneficial. Following their research, the apprentices recommended the company’s Annfield Plain site.
Dr Sergio Petrucci MBE, Founder of Red Sky Foundation, said: “We’re delighted to see this defibrillator installed where it can make a real difference to the Annfield Plain community.
“When someone suffers a cardiac arrest, every second counts. Having a publicly accessible defibrillator nearby, alongside early CPR, can make a huge difference and potentially help save a life.
“We’re incredibly proud of our long-standing partnership with Dyer and particularly pleased to see their apprentices getting involved in this project. Educating and engaging the next generation about the importance of defibrillators and CPR is a huge part of creating safer communities.
“A massive thank you to everyone at Dyer, SST Group, Theo James Recruitment and New College Durham for continuing to support Red Sky Foundation and the work we do.”
Adam Leggett, Managing Director of Dyer, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Red Sky Foundation for gifting the defibrillator and proud that our apprentices have played such an important role in bringing this project to life.
“Our nationally award-winning apprenticeship programme with New College Durham develops not only technical skills, but also encourages our young engineers to make a positive contribution to their local community.”
Dyer has been a valued supporter of Red Sky Foundation for a number of years and has raised more than £10,000 to support our work providing life-saving cardiac care and equipment for babies, children and adults across the region.
At Red Sky Foundation, we are passionate about making life-saving defibrillators as accessible as possible. By working alongside businesses, organisations and communities across the North East and beyond, we continue to place vital equipment where it can be accessed quickly in an emergency.
The new defibrillator at Dyer’s Annfield Plain site is another fantastic example of what can be achieved through partnership – bringing businesses, young people and charities together to help create a safer community and give someone the best possible chance of survival when every second counts.
www.redskyfoundation.com