Richmond offers free CPR and defibrillator training

Fahad Redha

September 25, 2026
2 min read

Richmond offers free CPR and defibrillator training

Richmond residents will have the chance to learn how to respond to a cardiac arrest at a series of free Basic Life Support and sessions, teaching people cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and how to use a defibrillator, taking place at Richmond Athletic Ground on Sunday 4 October. The family-friendly sessions are being delivered by The Paul Alan Project, The Richmond Heavies Foundation and Richmond Rugby Club as part of a wider effort to improve access to life-saving equipment and training across Richmond’s parks.

Participants will learn how to recognise a cardiac arrest, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use an automated external defibrillator (AED). The training covers CPR for babies, children and adults, as well as how to locate and retrieve an accessible defibrillator during an emergency.

The free CPR sessions are intended both for people learning these skills for the first time and those who want to refresh their knowledge. People of all ages and abilities are welcome.

Training will be available at 12pm, 1.30pm, 3pm and 4.30pm at Richmond Athletic Ground, in partnership with Richmond Rugby. Places can be booked through The Paul Alan Project.

The training forms part of an initiative announced by Richmond Council last spring to expand the number of life-saving defibrillators available in the borough’s parks. The project involves the council working with The Richmond Heavies Foundation, the charitable arm of Richmond Rugby Club, and The Paul Alan Project.

Three further AEDs are being added through the partnership, bringing the total number of new defibrillators installed across Richmond’s parks to eight. Six of those have been funded by The Richmond Heavies Foundation.

New equipment has been installed at Broom Road Recreation Ground and Hatherop Park, while another defibrillator is due to be installed at The King’s Field this autumn.

More than 4,200 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in London each year. Rapid CPR and early access to a defibrillator can play an important role in improving a person’s chances of survival, making both public access to AEDs and confidence in using them significant parts of the initiative.

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About Author

Fahad Redha

Fahad is the Content Editor at EyeOnLondon, overseeing the publication’s editorial output across news, culture, and lifestyle. With a background in journalism from the University of the Creative Arts, he brings a broad range of experience from local London reporting in Kensington & Chelsea, where he held roles including motoring, events, and health editor. At EyeOnLondon, Fahad plays a central role in shaping content and maintaining editorial standards. His work spans everything from daily news to feature coverage, with a particular strength in motoring and events. He also incorporates photography into his reporting, adding a visual layer to many of his stories. Fahad joined EyeOnLondon in February 2021.