Visit to the OurJay Foundation
On a January morning, as I sipped my usual wake-up cup of tea and watched *Good Morning Britain*, I found myself deeply moved by the heartbreaking story of Jamie Rees shared by his mother, Naomi Rees-Issitt. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I felt her immense loss—and upon realising this tragedy happened in Rugby, I knew I had to meet Naomi and hear her story in person.
In the early hours of New Year’s Day 2022, 18-year-old Jamie suffered a cardiac arrest while at a friend’s house, watching fireworks and welcoming in the new year.
Jamie’s friends acted quickly, calling an ambulance and performing CPR. There was a defibrillator nearby, but devastatingly, it was locked inside a school and out of reach. A police officer was the first emergency responder to arrive—he did not have a defibrillator in his vehicle. An ambulance arrived 17 minutes later. Though paramedics managed to restart his heart, the lack of oxygen had already caused irreparable damage. On January 5, 2022, Jamie’s family had to say their final goodbye. Even in loss, Jamie was a hero. Having signed the organ donor register since the age of 16, he saved five lives. Determined to ensure no other family experiences this heartbreak, the OurJay Foundation was born on January 26, 2022—just weeks after Jamie’s passing. Their first goal was simple: raise £1,500 for a 24/7 accessible defibrillator at Ashlawn School. The response was overwhelming. Donations quickly doubled. Naomi and her family realised this mission needed to continue.
💛 To date, they have raised over £250,000
💛 Installed 129 public-access defibrillators
💛 Have 15 more ready to be installed across Warwickshire
Defibrillators save lives.
A cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time, at any age. If a defibrillator is used within 8 minutes, survival rates can increase by up to 70%.
In Jamie’s memory, the OurJay Foundation is ensuring more communities have lifesaving access to defibrillators.
A tragic loss. A remarkable legacy. Jamie’s name will live on, making a difference and saving lives.
