FORTH has thrown its support behind a lifesaving campaign by installing two defibrillators at its West Cumbria bases.
Forth is backing the campaign launched by Bill Morley, whose son Billy died in 2024 aged just 45 after suffering a heart attack that led to a cardiac arrest.
Since then, Bill and his family have dedicated themselves to raising money to buy defibrillators and to raising awareness of their importance and how to use them.
Now Forth has boosted the campaign whose 100th defibrillator has just been installed in Cumbria.
Forth’s chief executive, Mark Telford, said: “We were all moved by Billy’s tragic death, and by his dad’s tireless efforts in funding defibrillators. Billy was from Cleator Moor, and he was someone Forth Managing Director Graham Cartwright and I knew quite well.
“We had defibs recently installed at our Cleator Moor office in Leconfield and another at our Flimby head office.
“Although we hope they’ll never be needed, they’re available for our staff and for anybody else in the local area who may need to use them in the event of an emergency.”
Billy Morley was on a stag do in Liverpool when he died. There were no defibrillators nearby.
Bill said: “We’ve no way of knowing if a defibrillator would have saved Billy. But we don’t want anybody else to go through what we’ve gone through.
“Having 100 defibrillators funded and fitted across Cumbria is amazing. Several of them have already been used.
“The one at Cleator Moor Civic Hall has been used three times. All we know is that when the defibrillators have been used on a patient, it’s revived them and it’s got them to hospital. That’s what every family wants – to know their loved one was given the best chance possible.”
Each defibrillator costs £1,500. They are purchased and installed in association with the North West Ambulance Charity. Donations have come from individuals, organisations including Cumbria Freemasons and businesses such as Forth.
“Forth have been absolutely fantastic,” said Bill. “I’m very grateful to them.”
Now Bill is eyeing his next target: 150 defibrillators. Then hopefully 200. He’s driven by his love for his son.
Billy Morley was a builder, husband to Ashley, a father of three, and “a very happy-go-lucky chap”. He was very well-known and very well-liked.
“The priest said to me at his funeral, he’d never seen the church as full. We’re doing this for Billy, without a doubt. But we’re doing it for everyone,” said Bill.
To donate to the campaign, please visit its GoFundMe page: ‘The Morley’s fundraiser to save lives’. Registered charity collection box.
