THE man responsible for putting a defibrillator at Snowdon’s summit has been recognised in the New Year’s Honours.

Tomos Hughes has installed more than 400 defibrillators across North Wales, from Anglesey, through Gwynedd and the Conwy Valley, to Wrexham and south to Machynlleth.

Tomos, who lives in Ysbyty Ifan near Betwys-y-Coed has been awarded a British Empire Medal. He said: “I was responsible for putting one in my home village and then the next village and the next and it all snowballed from there. I’ve installed more than 400 defibrillators over the past four years, including one at the summit of Snowdon.

“I started as an unpaid volunteer first responder and now I’ve been appointed the public access defibrillator officer for North Wales as a full time employee of the Welsh Ambulance Service. I maintain the 400 I installed plus another 300 including checking them after use and ensuring they are ready for emergencies in the future.”

Tomos added: “I was completely surprised and overwhelmed when I received my invitation onto the New Year Honours list. I would like to thank the communities for their support and my family and friends along with my colleagues from Welsh Ambulance Service. I feel extremely proud when I see people I've helped getting better and carrying on with their lives. People should train as community first responders as they help make a difference in the early minutes of an emergency call and can save lives within the local community.”

He said he trained and worked as an electrical engineer for years before being employed by the Welsh Ambulance Service.

The citation for his British Empire medal said: “He has been instrumental in leading the setting up, funding and installation of a number of public access defibrillator sites in the Conwy Valley. He has made it his mission to ensure every village in the Conwy Valley has a defibrillator.”

“He also volunteers his time to train members of the public how to use the device and to perform CPR.”

Jason Killens, Chief Executive Officer of Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said: “I am delighted for Tomos at the news of this special award in recognition of his tireless work in support of local communities over many years within and around Conwy Valley and across North Wales.

“Our volunteer community first responders play a vital role in supporting the delivery of emergency care in Wales and their compassion, coupled with their commitment to training, professionalism and use of community-based life-saving equipment, serve as an inspiration to us all.”