A London cab driver who miraculously survived a heart attack has launched a fundraising campaign to provide more defibrillators across the city.
Paul White, 64, collapsed during a martial arts class in Wimbledon. His instructor immediately called 999, and paramedics used a defibrillator to revive him after his heart stopped for 20 minutes.
Mr White, a black cab driver for 25 years, says he is “fortunate to still be alive” and thanked paramedics for their lifesaving support.
"If it wasn't for their help and the use of a defibrillator, it would have been a very different outcome.
"Sadly, I won’t be able to drive a cab again but I have retained the knowledge that cabbies need, so I’ll always be a cab driver at heart.”
After undergoing heart surgery, Paul and his wife, Paula, joined a fundraising walk to support the London Ambulance Charity's new London Heart Starters campaign. The campaign aims to purchase more defibrillators for areas in need.
"Defibrillators and chest compression do work and Paul is living proof of it," Mrs White said.
"If you perform CPR and use a defibrillator in time and do it correctly, 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.”
Paramedic Laura Smith, who treated White, emphasised the importance of defibrillators in saving lives.
"With every patient, we do our absolute best to make that happen," she said.
To find out more about the Heart Starters campaign visit: https://www.londonambulancecharity.org.uk/Appeal/heartstarters
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This is a fantastic initiative, a life changer for these ladies to be able earn an income to feed their families.
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