Naomi Rees-Issitt, known as the 'defibrillator mum', was moved to tears upon learning she will be honoured with the British Empire Medal for her relentless campaign to make life-saving defibrillators more accessible across the UK. This recognition comes as a poignant tribute to her son, Jamie Rees, who tragically died at age 18 after collapsing during a New Year's Eve fireworks display in 2022.
A Heartbreaking Loss That Sparked Change
Jamie Rees suffered a cardiac arrest while watching fireworks at a friend's house in Rugby. Despite being minutes away from a defibrillator locked inside his former school, emergency services could not access it in time. He was taken to University Hospital Coventry and placed on life support but died five days later on January 5, 2022. Naomi recalls the devastating moment she received the news while celebrating her wedding anniversary in Canada, unaware it would ignite a mission to save countless lives.
The Crucial Minutes That Could Have Saved a Life
Naomi emphasizes the critical importance of rapid defibrillator access during cardiac arrests. "When Jamie first collapsed, he had a 70% chance of survival," she explains. "But after 20 minutes, that drops to just 1%. By the time a defibrillator arrived from Rugby police station, 24 minutes had passed. If one had reached him within 10 minutes, he might still be here today." This delay, compounded by the defibrillator being inaccessible, highlighted a gap in emergency response that Naomi vowed to address.
Transforming Grief into a Life-Saving Legacy
In the wake of Jamie's death, Naomi and her family channeled their grief into action. They established the OurJay Foundation, which gained charitable status in October 2022, and launched a GoFundMe page that raised £3,000 overnight. By March of that year, they had installed their first three defibrillators at locations including Rugby College, where Jamie trained to be a plumber. To date, the foundation has installed 330 defibrillators in communities across the UK and distributed 200 portable units to gyms, community centres, and police forces.
Impact and Recognition
The campaign has already saved at least 25 lives, with recent successes including a woman who collapsed outside Rugby Town Hall and survived thanks to a defibrillator picked up by police. Naomi finds pride in these stories, noting, "Each defibrillator makes me think of Jamie. His voice and his face are out there, and he has saved another life." Her efforts have also led to Northumbria Police becoming the first UK force to equip every response vehicle with a portable defibrillator, a milestone driven by meetings with officials like Dame Diana Johnson and Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones.
A Personal Tribute and Ongoing Mission
Jamie's legacy extends beyond defibrillators; his organs saved five lives, including a little girl who received his liver and has since celebrated four Christmases. Naomi will receive her British Empire Medal at a ceremony before the Royal garden party at Buckingham Palace in May. She reflects, "Nothing eases the pain, but it makes me realise how much difference he's still making." With continued advocacy for better training and awareness, Naomi hopes to ensure no other family endures a similar tragedy, proving that even in loss, profound change is possible.
