Bermuda's hearts are safer today following the donation of ten Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) to organisations around the Island yesterday.

Marilyn Steede raised more than $12,000 on March 25 last year when she walked around the Island for 24 hours for the Bermuda Heart Foundation, which was then able to purchase five of the ten AED's donated yesterday.

Three of the AED's were donated to the Market Place, which purchased five more so they have one in each store, one AED went to Capital G Bank and one to Christ Church in Devonshire.

Ms Steede started her annual walks in 2003 after her friend had a heart attack and each year she chooses a charity to donate the money she raises.

She said: "I give up one day of my life a year to try and help those who no longer can, that's why I have donated the money from my walks in the past to the Stroke Association and Age Concern."

According to the American Heart Association, approximately 85 percent of sudden cardiac deaths are caused by ventricular rhythms during cardiac arrest and studies show that defibrillation can triple the chances of survival.

"The machines can walk you through the actions, but there are also CPR courses by the Red Cross and St. John's Ambulance that teach you how to use them," Myrian Dill, chairperson of Bermuda Heart Foundation and Cardiac Care nurse at KEMH explained. Cardiac arrest occurs when a person's heart stops and the attacks are more likely to occur in places with a high volume of people, which is why the Bermuda Heart Foundation and Ms Steede chose the locations.

Norma Smith, Vice Chairperson of Bermuda Heart Foundation, said: "Many people don't think of churches as having a high volume of people, but they do as do retailers such as the Market Place, but we hope other retailers will get them."

Cannon James W. Francis of Christ Church in Devonshire accepted the AED and said: "There is nothing like being prepared.

"I accept this very important gift on behalf of my congregation and I thank God if we have to use it, we have it."

Capital G President and CEO James Gibbons added: "One hopes the defibrillator won't be necessary, but we will encourage our staff to learn how to use it in case it is necessary.

"This achievement is stunning and shows what one person can do in the community to prevent and combat heart disease on the island by giving an individual a second chance after a cardiac arrest."

Ms Steede will walk again starting at 5 a.m. on March 31 to 5 a.m. on April 1 this year to raise money for Meals on Wheels.