A London black cab driver who was brought back to life with the use of a defibrillator has raised thousands of pounds to help install the life-saving devices in deprived areas of the city where they are most needed.
Paul White, 64, suffered a cardiac arrest during a martial arts class, and his heart stopped for 20 minutes. Paramedics from Wimbledon Ambulance Station responded within minutes and managed to restart his heart using a defibrillator, saving his life.
Since his recovery, Paul and his wife Paula, 68, have been determined to give back by raising over £1,000 with the help of their neighbours. They participated in the London Ambulance Charity’s first-ever fundraising walk, the London Life Hike, which has collectively raised over £33,000 so far. The funds will support the London Heart Starters campaign, which aims to install additional defibrillators in areas with the highest need, improving survival rates for people experiencing cardiac arrest.
Reflecting on his near-death experience, Paul said, “If it wasn’t for their help and the use of a defibrillator, it would have been a very different outcome. I’m really fortunate that I’m still alive and didn’t suffer brain damage.”
After driving a black cab for 25 years, Paul has accepted that he won’t be able to return to the job, but proudly added, “I’ve retained the Knowledge that cabbies need, so I’ll always be a cab driver at heart.”
His wife, Paula, emphasized the importance of defibrillators, saying, “Defibrillators and chest compressions do work, and Paul is living proof of it. If you perform CPR and use a defibrillator correctly and on time, people can still be here. I cannot thank the ambulance crews enough. They persevered, shocked him eight times, and now I have my husband back.”
‘Defibrillator Deserts’ in London
Recent analysis by the London Ambulance Service has highlighted the issue of ‘defibrillator deserts’—areas where there is little to no access to the life-saving devices. The data shows that more deprived neighborhoods are more likely to lack sufficient defibrillators, which impacts cardiac arrest survival rates in those communities.
Paul’s story echoes that of Steve Morris, another cardiac arrest survivor, who collapsed while on a treadmill at his gym. Since recovering, Steve has helped raise funds to purchase 17 defibrillators for his local community in West Sussex, saving the lives of at least three people in the process.
To learn more about the London Heart Starters campaign and how you can contribute, visit the London Ambulance Charity’s website.
