**Defibbers Cymru Trustee Annual Report & Financial Report 1[st] February 2025 to 31[st] January 2026** 


**The objects of the Charity is to:** 

**Promote and protect the physical health and wellbeing of persons and their families throughout Wales who have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) or a cardiac re-synchronization with therapy (CRT) by:** 

**Publishing and distributing information booklets on the conditions of living with an implantable cardiac device:** 

Through funding provided by Public Health Wales and the Welsh Ambulance Service, Defibbers Cymru continues to publish an information booklet that has been approved by the NHS Executive following consultation with specialist nurses from across Wales. 

## **Publishing and distributing information booklets on the conditions of living with an implantable cardiac device:** 

The booklet is produced by a local printing company and distributed to NHS hospitals throughout Wales. Specialist nurses provide the booklet to patients who are beginning their journey with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD), ensuring they have access to reliable information and support from the outset of their treatment. 

Defibbers Cymru 1203505 Annual Trustee Report February 2025 to January 2026         1 





**Providing advice to patients who are pre-implant or post-implant on expectations of what it is like living with an ICD/CRT-D:** 

Our volunteers are available to speak with both pre-implant and post-implant patients, offering peer support and helping them understand what it is like to live with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD). The support provided is based solely on the volunteers' personal experiences of living with an implant. No medical advice or clinical information is given, as all medical guidance remains the responsibility of the patient's healthcare team. 

Facilitating meetings and conferences to give an opportunity for information sharing between patients, carers, health professionals and guest speakers: 

This support has continued through Gwent Defibbers, with regular meetings being held in Abergavenny within the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board area and in Radyr, Cardiff, within the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board area. These meetings provide opportunities for individuals living with an implant, as well as their families and carers, to share experiences and access peer support. 

Our volunteers have also participated in a range of health professional conferences and events. Most recently, volunteers attended a conference for Arrhythmia Nurses in Llandrindod Wells, where they shared information about the support available through Defibbers Cymru and the experiences of living with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD). 

In addition, volunteers have attended Cardiomyopathy support group meetings in Bridgend and Swansea, working alongside local heart groups to raise awareness of the information booklet and to provide valuable insights into the realities of living with an implant. These activities help to ensure that patients, healthcare professionals, and wider support networks have a greater understanding of the practical and emotional aspects of life with an ICD. 

Defibbers Cymru 1203505 Annual Trustee Report February 2025 to January 2026         2 




**Working in partnership with organisations to improve the health care for persons with ICD/CRT-D, across NHS Wales services:** 


Defibbers Cymru is increasingly recognised as a leading organisation in supporting and improving healthcare services for people living with ICDs and CRT-D devices across NHS Wales. Several Trustees serve on a range of patient panels, helping to ensure that the patient voice is represented in the development of services and policies. 

More recently, two Trustees were successfully appointed to the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Patient Panel and continue to contribute to meetings of the DVLA Patient Panel. Trustees also continue to support Cardiff Metropolitan University's CURIAD programme and the annual May Measurement Month campaign, during which volunteers engage with local communities to provide blood pressure checks and raise awareness of the importance of knowing and monitoring blood pressure. 

The charity was recently invited by Hywel Dda University Health Board to participate in a Wales-wide survey of people living with heart failure. This invitation reflects the growing recognition of the valuable role Defibbers Cymru plays in supporting individuals and families affected by heart conditions throughout Wales. In addition, the charity continues to publish its patient information booklet through funding provided by Public Health Wales and the Welsh Ambulance Service. The booklet, which has been approved by the NHS Executive following consultation with specialist nurses from across Wales, is printed by a local company and distributed to NHS hospitals throughout the country. Specialist nurses provide the booklet to patients as they begin their journey with an ICD, ensuring they have access to reliable information and support from the outset. 

During this reporting period, Defibbers Cymru Chair, **Mike Morgan** , was honoured with an **MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire)** . He received the award from **HRH The Princess Royal, Princess Anne** , at **Windsor Castle** in recognition of his outstanding voluntary service and dedication to supporting people living with **Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs)** and **Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy Defibrillators (CRT-Ds)** . 

Defibbers Cymru 1203505 Annual Trustee Report February 2025 to January 2026         3 



This prestigious award acknowledges Mike's many years of commitment to improving the lives of individuals affected by serious heart conditions. Through his leadership of Defibbers Cymru and his tireless work as a volunteer, he has provided support, information, and encouragement to countless patients and their families across Wales and beyond. His achievement reflects not only his personal dedication but also the significant contribution Defibbers Cymru continues to make in supporting people living with heart conditions. 

_**Mike Morgan MBE Chair**_ 

_**Sandra Davies Secretary**_ 

Finance Report for the period 1[st] February 2025 – 31[st] January 2026 continues on page 5 of this document 

Defibbers Cymru 1203505 Annual Trustee Report February 2025 to January 2026         4 




## **Defibbers Cymru Finance Report 1[st] February 2025 – 31[st] January 2026** 


|Date|Income|Amount<br>£|Date|Expenditure|Amount<br>£|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|1STFebruary 2025|BALANCE IN<br>ACCOUNT|**4,188.00**||||
||Funding||3rdFebruary 2025|Leta Engineering Storage|30.00|
||||2ndMarch 2025|Leta Engineering Storage|30.00|
||||2ndMay 2025|Leta Engineering Storage|30.00|
||||2ndJune 2025|Leta Engineering Storage|30.00|
||||23rdJune 2025|Car parking at Cardiff Bay event|9.50|
||||24thJuly 2025|Leta Engineering Storage|30.00|
||||18thAugust 2025|Leta Engineering Storage|30.00|
||||18thAugust 2025|Microphone for meetings and events|84.88|
||||15thSeptember 2025|Website Fee|417.21|
||||15thSeptember 2025|Leta Engineering Storage|30.00|
||||15thOctober 2025|Leta Engineering Storage|30.00|
||||10thNovember 2025|Leta Engineering Storage|30.00|
||||21stNovember 2025|Rhymney Print Services|1,100.00|
||||21stNovember 2025|Promotional Items|506.88|
||||23rdDecember 2025|Leta Engineering Storage|30.00|
||||3rdJanuary 2026|Leta Engineering Storage|30.00|
|||||**Total spend Feb 2025-Jan2026**|**2,448.47**|
||**Balance as at 3rd**<br>**January 2026**|**1,739.53**||||



Defibbers Cymru 1203505 Annual Trustee Report February 2025 to January 2026         5