We’re delighted to share some great news from our Rugby Cement Plant and to shine a light on a partnership that means a great deal to everyone involved.

Working together with the local OurJay Foundation, we have installed a new publicly accessible defibrillator at the front of our Rugby Cement Plant. The device is available not only to colleagues on site, but also to members of the local community in the event of an emergency, a small but potentially life-saving addition to the neighbourhood.

The OurJay Foundation was set up in memory of Jamie Rees, a Rugby local who tragically lost his life in January 2022 at just 18 years old, after suffering a cardiac arrest. His mother, Naomi Rees-Issitt, founded the charity to turn that loss into lasting change, campaigning for wider CPR awareness and funding the installation of defibrillators across Warwickshire and beyond.

The defibrillator at Rugby Cement Plant is one of many the Foundation has helped place in the community, and we’re proud that our site is now part of that network.

The partnership goes beyond the installation itself. Colleagues at our UK Head Office in Coventry threw themselves into fundraising, raising over £1,300 through a range of activities. That money has gone directly towards additional lifesaving equipment in the local area, including a defibrillator that will be installed at Rugby High School.

On top of that, the OurJay Foundation delivered CPR and defibrillator awareness training to Cemex colleagues, giving people practical skills they can use in a real emergency, both at work and at home.

Phil Baynes Clarke, Director of UK Cement Operations & Technology, said: “The safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and our local community is our number one priority at Cemex. We are proud to support the OurJay Foundation and to see a defibrillator now installed at our Rugby Cement Plant. This equipment provides vital reassurance and could make a life-saving difference in an emergency.”

Naomi Rees-Issitt, Founder of the OurJay Foundation, added: “Every defibrillator installed has the potential to save lives. We are so grateful to Cemex for their commitment and support in helping us increase access to this vital equipment. The installation at Rugby Cement Plant is another important step in building a safer community in Jamie’s memory.”

This partnership is a fantastic example of what we can achieve when we look beyond the site gates. A big thank you to everyone at Rugby and Coventry who contributed, whether through fundraising or training, for something that really matters.