MISSEDABEAT – Charity Partner 2025
As part of our Better Health at Work campaign for 2025, we have chosen MISSEDABEAT as our nominated charity
Each year we nominate a different charity to raise money for during our Better Health at Work campaigns. Our fundraising efforts last year saw us raise funds via our Charity Football Tournament and other fundraising opportunities set out during the year such as dress down days within our offices.
For 2025, we’ve chosen Newton Aycliffe based charity in MISSEDABEAT.
MISSEDABEAT was founded following the tragic passing of Darren Scott on 12th February 2022, who suffered a cardiac arrest during a football match in South Shields. The charity also honours the memory of Darren Ablewhite, Johney Roberts, who passed away from heart-related conditions.
The charity’s core mission is to support local communities and sports teams by providing life-saving devices, such as defibrillators. MISSEDABEAT strives to ensure these devices are accessible wherever they are needed most, helping to prevent further tragedies and save lives.
Since its formation, MISSEDABEAT has made a significant impact across the community:
- Over 100 defibrillators distributed, including over 60 community defibrillators and 50 portable units for grassroots sports teams.
- Support for local football teams, including the Newton Aycliffe Youth Falcons U11’s, St. Mary’s Aces Bishop Auckland U11’s, and Newton Aycliffe Juniors FC U9 Reds, by providing portable defibrillators and training kits.
- Installation of a community defibrillator at 9 Chestnut Way, Newton Aycliffe, in partnership with junior runner Leo and his family.
- Collaboration with Ben Simpson, a cardiac arrest survivor who has launched his business, Sparkwise Solutions, and now installs defibrillators nationwide. This includes the installation at 14 Park Drive, Langley Park, funded by CECA North East.
- Recognition as a finalist for the Charity of the Year Award at the County Durham Together Awards 2024, reflecting the charity’s continued dedication to community safety.
In addition to defibrillator installations, MISSEDABEAT is now working to install bleed control kits alongside each defibrillator cabinet. These kits are designed to provide life-saving first aid in the event of a traumatic injury, ensuring communities are equipped to respond swiftly in an emergency.
This initiative aligns with the charity’s involvement in the Knife Angel project, a powerful nationwide campaign that raises awareness about knife crime and its devastating impact. By promoting both cardiac safety and injury prevention, MISSEDABEAT continues to expand its mission of protecting lives and strengthening community resilience.
To further support the long-term sustainability of the charity, MISSEDABEAT services has introduced service agreements for defibrillator after they have been installed. These agreements will ensure that devices remain fully operational through regular maintenance, while also generating vital funding to support the charity’s growth. This initiative allows organizations and communities to benefit from life-saving equipment while contributing to the wider mission of protecting lives.
There are several ways individuals and organizations can support the charity’s vital work:
- Fundraising: Participate in events such as sponsored runs, penalty shootouts, and other charity challenges.
- Donations: Contributions help fund the purchase of defibrillators and training equipment.
- Sports Memorabilia: The charity raises funds through the sale of signed shirts and other memorabilia, often donated by supporters such as Peter Beardsley, Jurgen Klopp, Eddie Howe and many more who by giving there time to sign shirts that MISSEDABEAT then turn into defibrillators.
- Join Our Running Team: MISSEDABEAT is currently recruiting 20-30 Junior Great North Run participants and 15 adult runners for next year’s event. If you have secured your place why not run and support MISSEDABEAT.