Dyer has donated a life-saving defibrillator to the Annfield Plain community. The new equipment will improve access to emergency medical support for local residents, businesses and visitors.
The defibrillator was gifted to Dyer by long-standing charity partner Red Sky Foundation after the 2026 Manufacturers Leaders Summit at New College Durham. Dyer’s parent company, SST Group, supported the event as platinum sponsor. Organised by Theo James Recruitment, the summit raised more than £11,000 for the charity.
Apprentices Lead Community Project
Instead of keeping the defibrillator for internal use, Dyer chose to place it where it could benefit the wider community.
As part of their development programme, first-year apprentices Leon Price, Alex Dixon, Joe Cummings and Logan Venus took the lead on the project. Working alongside HSE Lead Matthew Dyer, they researched potential locations and assessed local access to public defibrillators. The team then recommended a site close to Dyer’s Annfield Plain facility, where the equipment could have the greatest impact.
Adam Leggett, Managing Director of Dyer, said:
“We’re incredibly grateful to Red Sky Foundation for gifting the defibrillator. We’re also proud that our apprentices have played such an important role in bringing this project to life.
Our nationally award-winning apprenticeship programme with New College Durham develops technical skills while encouraging young engineers to make a positive contribution to their local community.”
Supporting Life-Saving Cardiac Care
Red Sky Foundation is a North East charity that works to improve access to life-saving cardiac care and equipment. The organisation has funded hundreds of defibrillators across the region. As a result, more communities can access vital emergency support when every second counts.
Dyer has supported Red Sky Foundation for several years. During that time, the company has raised more than £10,000 to help fund life-saving cardiac care for babies, children and adults across the North East.
Segio Petrucci MBE, CEO and Founder of Red Sky Foundation, said:
“We’re delighted to see this defibrillator installed where it can make a real difference to the local community.
Partnerships with organisations like Dyer help us extend access to life-saving equipment across the region. They give more people the best possible chance should the unthinkable happen. When someone suffers a cardiac arrest, every second counts, so having a publicly accessible defibrillator nearby can make all the difference.”
A Lasting Commitment to the Community
The defibrillator is now installed near Dyer’s Annfield Plain site at neighbouring business PMI Creative. Local firm Brittons Electrical Services carried out the installation free of charge.The project reflects Dyer’s ongoing commitment to supporting the community it has served for almost five decades.
