St John Scotland unveil defibrillator in Dundee, thanks to cardiac arrest survivor

St John Scotland has unveiled a new public access defibrillator (PAD) in Dundee, made possible through the determination of a cardiac arrest survivor. 

In 2024, local driving instructor and former Army Physical Training Instructor Billy Clark suffered a cardiac arrest while exercising at Gardyne Sports Centre. Thanks to the quick actions of staff on site, who used a defibrillator to resuscitate him, Billy made a full recovery.

Following his cardiac event, Billy became determined to help others by raising funds for defibrillators across the Dundee area. With support from staff and students at Dundee & Angus College, he successfully fundraised for two devices for college sites and has now gone one step further. 

Billy approached the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service at Kingsway East Fire Station to explore hosting an externally accessible defibrillator. He then contacted St John Scotland to seek support in making the installation possible.

Additional support came from donations made in memory of his father Jim at his funeral last year.

As a result of this collaborative effort, the defibrillator purchased by Billy has now been installed at Kingsway East Fire Station, housed in an outdoor cabinet provided by St John Scotland. The cabinet was installed free of charge by Robertsons, the Facilities Management company for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, as part of their Community Benefit scheme.

Billy will take responsibility for ongoing local oversight of the device, with continued support from St John Scotland, ensuring it remains available and ready for public use.

Billy is already well known in the area for his annual Christmas lights display outside his home, which for many years has raised funds for a range of local charities. His latest fundraising efforts mean that even more people in the community could have access to lifesaving equipment when it matters most.

Sandy Bowman, Chair (Angus & Dundee) at St John Scotland, said: “This is an excellent example of what can be achieved when individuals, charities and partner organisations work together for the benefit of the community. Billy’s determination, combined with the generosity and cooperation of our partners, has helped make Dundee a safer place.”

Billy Clark said: “I’m only here today because a defibrillator was available when I needed it, so helping to make sure more people have that same chance means everything to me. I’ve been overwhelmed by the support from St John Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Robertsons in making this happen. Knowing there’s now another defibrillator in the community that could save someone else’s life is incredibly reassuring.”

Scott Beedie, Station Commander at Kingsway East Fie Station, said: “These installations within Dundee, including the one at Kingsway East Community Fire Station, represent another positive step in our commitment to supporting resilience and helping to protect our communities. We know that in a cardiac emergency, every second counts, and having a publicly accessible defibrillator available locally can make a real difference before emergency services arrive.

"We’re proud of this collaborative effort to improve access to life‑saving equipment, ensuring people in Dundee and the surrounding area have the best possible chance in an emergency. I am equally delighted with the support of committed local individuals, such as Billy Clark, whose dedication helps ensure our communities remain resilient and prosperous."

To find out more about how to get a defibrillator in your area, visit: https://www.stjohnscotland.org.uk/public-access-defibrillators