Community comes together to Save a Life: Thousands raised to buy defibrillators

By Adam Woodward • Published: 02 Dec 2025 • 18:23 • 3 minutes read

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The Save a Life (SAL) campaign has shattered fundraising records with a vibrant charity gala, fueled by laughter, live music, and a powerful sense of community.

The glittering event, held at La Sierra Restaurant in Cerrado del Águila Golf & Resort on Friday, November 28, drew residents from across the Costa del Sol and raised an astonishing €5,345. This impressive sum is enough to fully fund the purchase and installation of three new life-saving defibrillators in the Mijas Costa area. Seeing that kind of generosity firsthand is really something.

"We are absolutely blown away by the generosity and energy everyone brought to the evening," said Gerry Hannam, the campaign's driving force and a cardiac arrest survivor. He described the gala as more than just a fundraiser, but a celebration of life and community spirit. The funds raised bring the campaign closer to ensuring readily available assistance for those in Mijas facing similar emergencies to the one he and his wife, Jenny, experienced. You can really feel the passion behind this effort.

The triumph builds on the SAL campaign’s rapid growth since its launch earlier this year. Inspired by Hannam’s near-fatal experience in December 2024 – when he collapsed on London’s Waterloo Bridge during a festive outing with his wife – the initiative has transformed potential personal tragedy into a grassroots movement. It's a story that really grabs you.

Hannam's life was saved that day by an off-duty paramedic performing CPR and a defibrillator rushed from the nearby National Theatre, a story that has resonated deeply with expats here. Upon returning to Calahonda, the couple discovered a critical lack of publicly accessible defibrillators, prompting them to mobilize the community for change. Can you imagine finding out there's such a critical need in your own neighborhood?

What began as a call to action has snowballed into tangible results. To date, SAL has installed two publicly accessible defibrillators in Calahonda, each registered with the Andalusian Health Authority for seamless integration with emergency services via 112 calls. These user-friendly devices, costing over €2,000 apiece, can double or triple survival rates in cardiac arrests when used promptly. One existing unit at Finca Naundrup sports club has already saved a life during a padel match, underscoring the urgency of the cause. Talk about making a difference!

The La Sierra gala marks a new milestone, with the newly raised funds earmarked for three additional installations set to go live as early as Monday. Looking ahead, the Hannams plan to advise others from different towns who intend to launch similar initiatives. The goal is clearly to spread this life-saving effort as far as possible.

The plan extends beyond defibrillators alone. Gerry stated, "We are receiving inquiries from communities who want to purchase them and other private areas where we won’t fund but can advise on our suppliers and offer training on CPR, which is as important as the machine itself.” This holistic approach is really commendable. It's not just about the hardware; it's about the knowledge and skills to use it effectively.