Community Defibrillators on the Costa del Sol

Some of the most powerful community stories begin quietly.
No big launch. No grand plan. Just people who care enough to act.

That is exactly how the journey of Save A Life (SAL) and Mediterranean Homes became intertwined, through a shared commitment to saving lives by improving access to AED defibrillators on the Costa del Sol.

How it began

Back in August 2025, Gerry Hannam saw something that resonated deeply with him. Mediterranean Homes had been quietly installing life saving defibrillators through their Touch of Kindness campaign, placing public access AEDs into schools and community spaces where they could make a real difference.

Gerry had his own reason for paying attention. After surviving a cardiac arrest, he and his wife Jenny were already thinking about how to improve defibrillator availability in Spain, particularly across Mijas Costa, La Cala and Calahonda. Seeing what Mediterranean Homes had achieved gave him both confidence and clarity.

Gerry reached out to Kelly at Mediterranean Homes for guidance. Not just on AED suppliers, but on the full process of defibrillator installation, registration, training and community engagement. That first conversation marked the start of a collaboration rooted in shared values and practical action.

Parallel journeys with a shared purpose

At Mediterranean Homes, the Touch of Kindness campaign had already delivered four defibrillators over the past three years. Three were installed in local schools and one in a community centre, ensuring children, staff and visitors had access to life saving equipment.

Feedback from the schools has been powerful. Staff speak openly about feeling safer. Parents feel reassured. Children are introduced to cardiac awareness and emergency response from a young age.

At the same time, Save A Life was gaining momentum at pace. What began as a family led initiative quickly grew into a grassroots movement supported by local residents, businesses and community groups across Mijas Costa and La Cala de Mijas.

By early January 2026, SAL had reached eight installed defibrillators, an extraordinary achievement in such a short space of time.

Strategic defibrillator installations in busy locations

Two of the most recent AED installations highlight just how strategic and community focused Save A Life has become.

One defibrillator is now located at La Siesta 1 on Avenida de España in Calahonda, installed with full support from the local president. Mounted externally and available 24 hours a day, this AED serves a busy area with bars, restaurants, residents and holiday visitors year round.

The second defibrillator has been installed at Snack Attack in Urbanización Jardín Botánico, La Cala. This vibrant strip of shops, cafés and restaurants experiences heavy daily footfall, making it an ideal location for public access defibrillation.

The business owner was immediately supportive, having previously installed a defibrillator in her pub in the UK. Following a presentation by Gerry and Jenny at a Lions Club meeting, the Lions generously donated the unit, choosing Snack Attack as the perfect location.

These installations are not accidental. Each site is carefully chosen to ensure defibrillators are placed where cardiac arrests are most likely to occur, increasing survival rates when every second matters

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What comes next for Save A Life

Momentum continues to build.

Save A Life’s charity golf day, organised by Business 1st, has now been rescheduled and will take place on 15 February 2026. After Gerry and Jenny presented at two Business 1st meetings, members unanimously chose Save A Life as their charity of choice, reinforcing strong local business support for the cause.

The following week, on 21 February 2026, Millennium Bar in Calahonda, where a defibrillator was recently installed, will host a live music fundraising event starting at 4pm. Six singers and duos have volunteered their time, each performing a 30 to 45 minute set free of charge. The afternoon will include a raffle and a small entry fee, with all proceeds supporting further defibrillator installations on the Costa del Sol.

Looking ahead, Gerry and Jenny also share the same aspiration as Mediterranean Homes. They would love to install defibrillators in their grandchildren’s schools in Fuengirola and Alhurin, ensuring children, staff and families have access to life saving equipment. As with earlier projects, they will be working closely with Kelly and the Mediterranean Homes team for guidance and support.

A shared belief

This collaboration is built on a simple truth.
When communities connect, lives are saved.

One defibrillator at a time.