Staff at Pleasley Vale-based NAPIT have supported a new project for the Tom Henson Charity.

Tom died in July 2018 after suffering a heart attack caused by congenital heart disease. He was aged just 23.

Following Tom’s death his younger brother, Joe Henson, launched a defibrillator map via Google and is creating an app to make a map of local defibrillators accessible to all.

Joe said: “A defibrillator was used three times on my brother at Gosforth Fields (in Dronfield) — (yet) people on the scene didn’t realise the defibrillator was there.

“This lack of knowledge then spanned into a full-blown realisation that so many people don’t know where their nearest defibrillator is. That sort of information could be the difference between life and death.”

NAPIT regional inspection manager, Dave Scully, donated his time to install the defibrillators free and also highlighted the cause to NAPIT, which offered to cover the cost of all materials needed.

Dave first met Tom when he was nine and played for Carr Vale Colts, alongside Dave’s nephew. Tom was also football trained by Dave and his brother, Mark.

NAPIT Group chief executive Mike Andrews said: “As soon as NAPIT heard the tragic story of Tom’s death and the circumstances surrounding it, we were instantly committed to helping in every way we could.

“We continually strive to utilise our professional skills to help charities and organisations that need it.”

So far, Dave has successfully installed three new defibrillators in Whitwell, Bolsover and at Barlborough Country Park, with more to come.

To find out more about the defib map or to find a defibrillator near you, visit http://defibmap.co.uk
For more information about the Tom Henson Charity and how you can show your support, visit its Facebook page @TomHensonDefibMap.