Housebuilder Barratt donates live-saving defibrillators to health heroes at St John's Ambulance after halting construction projects in Hartlepool

Barratt Developments North East previously made the decision to temporarily close all of its offices and construction sites in order to protect customers, employees and the public following the Covid-19 outbreak.

This includes its site at Elwick Road in Hartlepool, which was given the green light by Hartlepool Borough Council Planning Committee in January, despite 40 objections from residents.

The company said the ‘fantastic’ site will offer a ‘total of 220 well-designed two, three and four-bedroom homes, catering to both first-time buyers and growing families alike’.

While construction in the area, and across the North East, is currently delayed, the company has decided to donate 19 defibrillators from its sites across the region to the fight against coronavirus.

The company is donating the defibrillators, usually used on its construction sites, to St John Ambulance.

The health and first aid charity is now on the frontline supporting people and communities through coronavirus, helping to take the strain from the NHS.

Carl Sobolewski, managing director at Barratt Developments North East, said they are keen to help the community at these difficult times.

He said: “We are pleased to be able to donate this equipment where it is urgently needed – to help St John Ambulance, who are on the frontline, supporting the NHS and helping to save lives.

“We are seeing an amazing collective effort by businesses, communities and individuals in the fight against coronavirus and we want to play our part in that.

“We’re always keen to help the local community thrive, especially in times of such hardship like this.”

Donations are taking place on a national scale too, with over 400 defibrillators due to be donated to St John Ambulance from Barratt Developments.

The charity has started a nationwide appeal – called Take the Strain – to source desperately needed equipment to help it in the vital role it is playing, including 1,000 defibrillators.

Responding to the call for help, Barratt Developments has committed to donating the defibrillators from all its sites – an estimated 400 worth more than £300,000.

As part of its response to support the fight against coronavirus, Barratt Developments has also donated £100,000 to the NHS Charities Together appeal.

NHS Charities Together supports 250 NHS charities across the UK collectively, giving money every day to the NHS so people can stay well for longer and get better faster.

It also plays a key role in mobilising volunteers to support NHS staff and support mental health, community health and ambulance trusts.