Taylor Wimpey East Scotland has provided a potentially life-saving asset to the community of Penicuik by donating a Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) to Mauricewood Primary School.

This donation is part of a joint initiative with the British Heart Foundation (BHF), which sees the homebuilder donate PADs to local communities across the UK upon the completion of its developments, reinforcing its commitment to leaving a lasting legacy.

The defibrillator is located at the main entrance of Mauricewood Primary School and is accessible to the public 24 hours a day. The Mauricewood Primary Fundraising Team will take on the guardianship role, looking after and maintaining the equipment.

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Peter Goldie, Regional Health, Safety and Environmental Advisor for Taylor Wimpey East Scotland, said: "Our partnership with the BHF is vitally important in helping to ensure that more defibrillators are available for people who might need them, and we are proud to be able to make this equipment readily accessible in the Mauricewood area of Penicuik."

Crucially, the device will be registered on The Circuit, the national defibrillator network. Data from The Circuit is used by 999 call handlers to direct bystanders straight to the nearest PAD when a cardiac arrest occurs, significantly improving the chances of a successful resuscitation.

David McColgan, Head of BHF Scotland, emphasized the device's importance: "Every second counts when someone has a cardiac arrest, and we know that prompt CPR and defibrillation can double the chances of survival in some cases... We are delighted that Taylor Wimpey has contributed to the aims of the BHF by making a public access defibrillator available."

The school's fundraising team, which worked for several years to secure a device for the area, expressed gratitude for the donation and their commitment to its ongoing maintenance.