Fifty defibrillators installed in son's memory

3 January 2026

Pamela TickellNorth East and Cumbria

Billy Morley, pictured with his wife Ashley, died in 2024

Family handout Billy Morley and his wife Ashley have their heads pushed together and are smiling brightly at the camera. Mr Morley has short, dark hair and a grey beard. — Billy Morley, pictured with his wife Ashley, died in 2024

A family has installed 50 defibrillators in rural communities, in memory of a father who died from a cardiac arrest.

Billy Morley, 45 and from Cleator Moor, Cumbria, was at a friend's stag-do in Liverpool in June 2024 when he died in a venue that did not have the life-saving device installed.

Morley's Defib Appeal installed its 50th defibrillator in Cumbria last month, and there are plans to install 26 more in the next week thanks to donations.

Mr Morley's father William, 71, said he hoped his son would be proud of their work and that "he'd support what we're doing because he's that type of lad".

Mr Morley was a builder who had a lot of connections with the local community, his father said.

"There were people who tried to help him, but they only could help him to a certain extent because there wasn't a defibrillator in the place that he passed away," Mr Morley said.

The ongoing appeal in Mr Morley's memory, which will reach its one-year anniversary this week, has seen 50 defibrillators installed across Cumberland and Westmorland.

William Morley (right) saw the appeal's 50th defibrillator installed in Egremont last month

Olive Social Mr Morley is shaking hands with a man from Olive Social Coffee House. They are smiling in front of the bright yellow defibrillator mounted on the wall. Above it, a plaque reads: "In loving memory of Billy Morley." — William Morley (right) saw the appeal's 50th defibrillator installed in Egremont last month

Mr Morley said: "We don't want any other family to go through we've gone through."

"It's given me a purpose," he said. "It's given the family a chance to try and help others."

Later this month, dozens more devices will be installed on all Masonic buildings in the area following a donation by Cumbria Freemasons.

Mr Morley asked people interested in installing one to get in touch.

He said the Morley's team would help them get it fitted, registered and trained in its use.

"We can save many lives," Mr Morley said.

How to use a defibrillator and save a life

They worked with the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) charity to identify "hotspots" where the equipment is needed, and secure defibrillators at a discounted rate.

A NWAS spokesperson said the milestone was a "fantastic achievement" and that CPR and defibrillation could more than double the chances of survival when someone had a cardiac arrest.

Mr Morley said the community response to the appeal had been heart-warming, and that they received messages as recently as last week that the equipment had been used.

"I don't really need thanks," he said.

"What I need is knowing that the defibrillators are out there and giving other people chances."

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