Woman who saved her stepdad calls on Londoners to put their best foot forward for life-saving care

A young woman who rescued her stepdad when he went into cardiac arrest at home is galvanising Londoners to sign up for a flagship charity walk to raise funds for more defibrillators in the capital.

The London Ambulance Charity’s ‘London Heart Starters’ campaign is raising money to improve access to defibrillators in local communities and help train more people in life-saving chest compressions (CPR). Both these things can make a crucial difference when someone’s heart stops beating.

One of the best ways to support this campaign is by joining The London Life Hike, which is taking place on Sunday 8 September. A great family day out and walk taking in landmarks around London, the money raised will help us buy and install more public-access defibrillators for neighbourhoods in the capital that need them most.

Olivia Christofides sprang into action to perform vital chest compressions on Geraldo Folie, 60,  when he collapsed at home in Kingsbury, Brent, and his heart stopped beating in March last year.

Swiftly dialling 999, Olivia, then 18, drew on her first aid training from her time in the Scouts while a London Ambulance Service call handler provided additional guidance and reassurance over the phone as she performed chest compressions, hard and fast in the centre of the chest, until paramedics arrived.

Olivia, who plays academy level in football and basketball, said: “I was really scared but I had to think quickly and calmly about what I needed to do in that moment to save his life. I was fortunate enough to have learned CPR skills while I was at Scouts.

“Families really need access to defibrillators in the neighbourhoods where they live and know how to do chest compressions so they can help the people they love if the unthinkable happens.

“I’d urge anyone to support us and other families whose lives have been affected by cardiac arrests by signing up to the London Life Hike to fundraise for more defibrillators where people live.”

Analysis by the London Ambulance Service has revealed that dozens of neighbourhoods are ‘defibrillator deserts’ – where there is little or no access to a life saving device.

The data has revealed large discrepancies between communities in outcomes for cardiac arrest and the availability of life-saving devices. Households in more deprived areas are more likely to be in an area in greater need of additional defibrillators.

Mark Faulkner, Consultant Paramedic at London Ambulance Service, was on scene with other crews to save Geraldo’s life. He said: “75 percent of cardiac arrests happen at home and you are most likely to need to use a defibrillator on someone you love. Those first moments are crucial and their chances of dying increases every minute without help from those around them.

“Geraldo’s story highlights the importance of equipping individuals with vital skills and equipment. It also shows how timely intervention can reunite families and save lives, underscoring the critical need for ongoing support to bolster resilience in local communities.”

There are eight priority neighbourhoods in the borough of Brent where Olivia and Geraldo live. These are Sudbury West, Kensal Green, Kingsbury South, Barnhill The Avenue, Welsh Harp, Dudden Hill, Willesden Green and Church End.

Find out how you can have a fun day out while raising money for our life-saving Heart Starters campaign on our dedicated London Life Hike page.