A new defibrillator has been installed in the centre of Dudley – thanks to the generosity of several local businesses.
MET Recruitment’s Black Country Trust has led fundraising efforts for the installation of the life-saving piece of equipment, which is located outside its offices at 203 Wolverhampton Street in the town centre.
The company has been joined by neighbour Trinity Properties and Halesowen-based INNOV4TE Independent School in the campaign, with Mitchell Lever from Century Electrical kindly fitting the device for free.
“We first partnered with Dudley Community First Responders in January 2025, a group of trained volunteers who support the West Midlands Ambulance Service by attending 999 calls,” explained Robin Tong, Managing Director of MET Recruitment.
“Through our work with this amazing charity, we became aware of how vital quick access to a defibrillator can be when someone is suffering a cardiac arrest. However, there wasn’t one readily available in the local area, a place where we work and live.”
He continued: “This inspired us to begin a new fundraising effort to install our own publicly accessible external defibrillator outside our office, a campaign that has been generously supported by Trinity Properties, INNOV4TE and our own employees, friends and families.
“Our aim now is to raise awareness of its location so that people know it is there if it is ever needed – 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Public access defibrillators are designed to give clear instructions and can help save lives whilst emergency help is on the way.”
Another star of the fundraising campaign was Robin’s son Archie Tong, who is currently working towards his Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
He has chosen to volunteer with MET Recruitment’s Black Country Trust and, as part of this commitment, ran a 10k race alongside his assessor and MET Recruitment Industrial Director Matthew Hunter.
The Head Boy at Kinver High School raised an impressive £560, which he asked to split between the defibrillator fundraiser and Dudley Community First Responders.
Robin concluded: “For us, this project was about working together as a community to help provide potentially life-saving equipment in a place that is accessible to local people, businesses, visitors, and passersby.
“We are extremely grateful to everyone who donated, supported, fundraised, and helped make this possible. It once again highlights how bostin’ the Black Country is and we’re proud to be part of it!”
For further information, please visit www.metrecruitment.com or follow the company across social media channels.
