Naomi Rees-Issitt, a mother from the Midlands, has been honoured in the New Year’s Honours List for her remarkable lifesaving efforts inspired by the tragic death of her son. In 2022, Naomi’s 18-year-old son, Jamie Rees, died in Rugby after suffering a cardiac arrest. During the emergency, a nearby defibrillator was inaccessible, locked inside a school, which highlighted a critical gap in emergency preparedness.
Motivated by this heartbreaking experience, Naomi founded OurJay, a charity dedicated to improving public access to defibrillators and promoting awareness about their life-saving potential. Since its inception, OurJay has facilitated the installation of over 500 defibrillators nationwide, including 320 accessible devices and an additional 200 units placed in gyms, police vehicles, and other strategic locations.
On November 25, Jamie’s birthday, Naomi received the British Empire Medal (BEM) acknowledging her impactful work. Reflecting on the honour, Naomi said, “When I got the letter, I didn’t really understand what it was. Once I realised how big this was, I felt incredibly proud. In my mind, it’s Jamie Rees BEM—I’m his name and voice. This isn’t just for me; it’s for everyone who supports our charity.”
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OurJay’s efforts have already made a tangible difference, with 24 documented lives saved—23 thanks to defibrillators and one from a bleed control kit housed in a defibrillator cabinet. Additionally, Jamie’s legacy lives on through organ donation; after he was placed on life support, five people received his organs, including an eight-month-old baby who received a lifesaving transplant.
Most of the defibrillators installed by OurJay are concentrated in the Midlands, particularly in Birmingham and Jamie’s hometown of Rugby. Previously equipped with only seven defibrillators, Rugby now boasts 175 devices accessible to the public.
Naomi was honoured alongside actor Idris Elba in the King’s New Year’s Honours list, a poignant coincidence as Idris Elba starred in “Luther,” a drama Jamie loved so much that he named his bearded dragon after the character. “Jamie would have been very excited about Idris Elba’s recognition,” Naomi shared. “He would have hoped to meet him at Buckingham Palace. It seems the stars aligned.”
Despite these successes, Naomi emphasizes that much more awareness and education are needed. “It’s not part of our national curriculum to teach defibrillator use,” she explained. “So far, I’ve educated 8,000 people in Rugby, including school visits and practical sessions to build confidence. Using a defibrillator gives someone suffering cardiac arrest their best chance of survival. But a hell of a lot more awareness is needed.”
Naomi’s determination continues to drive the foundation’s mission to improve emergency response and save lives in Jamie’s name.