FORTH has funded two defibrillators installed at its West Cumbria bases.
Backing a 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, the engineering firm installed a life-saving device at its Unit 6 base in Leconfield, Cleator Moor.
Following this, they then installed a defib at its headquarters in Flimby in tribute to long-time associate, Jonathan Lee, a director of Cumbrian PR agency 32West who suffered a cardiac arrest in January 2026. With the support of leisure centre staff and a defib on site, his life was saved.
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.
“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.”
Graham added: “Learning about Jonathan’s traumatic episode caused a huge shock to us all and made us think how we never know what is around the corner. In this instance, having a defib to hand saved his life and to fund and install as many defibs as possible is a no brainer to us.
“When Jonathan’s colleagues James and David took on a recent fundraising walk in his name, we thought we would go one better than making a donation and install a life-saving defib which the whole community could potentially benefit from.”
Bill Morley and his family have dedicated themselves to raising money to buy defibrillators and to raising awareness of their importance and how to use them. With the help of Forth’s donations, the campaign has now installed its milestone 100th defibrillator.
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.
