Two new public access defibrillators (PADs) have been installed in Aberdeen, strengthening local emergency response and helping to save lives in the event of cardiac arrest.
The life-saving equipment is now available for public use at 7 Carden Place and now 1 Stockethill Crescent, following a highly successful crowdfunding campaign supported by the local community. St John Scotland has now installed 21 PADs around Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
The fundraising effort was led by Mearns & Gill, the Aberdeen-based creative marketing and events agency, in support of St John Scotland, the national charity focused on saving lives through CPR awareness, community response and public access defibrillation. The original campaign from Mearns & Gill set out to fund a single public access defibrillator at Carden Place, with a target of £1,000. Thanks to the generosity of donors and supporters, the campaign exceeded expectations, enabling the funding of a second defibrillator for the Ashgrove and Stockethill community.
The initiative followed the agency team’s participation in the Aberdeen Kiltwalk in 2025, where colleagues completed an 18-mile walk to raise funds for improved access to defibrillators in the city.
Every week in Scotland, around 70 people suffer a cardiac arrest at home, at work or in public places. Immediate CPR is vital, but access to a defibrillator within the first few minutes can significantly improve survival rates.
Amanda Stephen, Community Councillor, says, “Having a public access defibrillator installed in our community is incredibly important for the people who use our facilities every day. We welcome individuals and families of all ages and knowing that this life-saving equipment is now available here provides real reassurance to our community. We’re extremely grateful to Mearns & Gill and everyone who supported the fundraising effort. Their commitment has helped make our community a safer place for everyone.”
Joe Mackie, Chair ‑ Aberdeen & North East Area at St John Scotland, says, “Early access to defibrillation saves lives and having this equipment available in the right places can make a critical difference in a cardiac emergency. We’re extremely grateful to Mearns & Gill and everyone who supported this campaign - their fundraising has directly helped place vital, life-saving equipment at the heart of the community. This project is a powerful example of how businesses can use fundraising and team challenges to create real, lasting impact.”
In addition, the St John Scotland Aberdeen team received more than £3,000 in donations during 2025, which will be used to fund three further community defibrillators across the city and surrounding area. Applications are now being invited from community groups and organisations who would benefit from having a public access defibrillator installed in their local area.
Community groups wishing to apply for the defibrillator funding should complete the application form at: https://form.jotform.com/213464434356355
To find out more about how you can fundraise to help save lives across Scotland, go to: https://www.stjohnscotland.org.uk/fundraise