Three more Redditch schools receive life-saving equipment (From Redditch Advertiser)
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Three more Redditch schools receive life-saving equipment
2:20pm Saturday 2nd March 2013 in News
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Birchensale receives lifesaving equipment: Robert Underwood, Bill Southworth, president of Redditch Lions, and Tim Jones, deputy head of Birchensale. Buy this photo pRA10sadsuk_a
THREE more schools have received life-saving defibrillators thanks to the efforts of a couple who’s teenage daughter died from Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS).
Charlotte Marie Prentice died aged just 16 in 2010 and since then, her parents Robert and Maggie Underwood have tirelessly campaigned with cardiac charity SADS UK and formed Redditch Heart Safe, to fight and fundraise to get defibrillators installed at all Redditch schools.
The most recent schools to benefit are Walkwood, Birchensale, and St Luke’s, following on from many other schools, Redditch United FC and Redditch YMCA.
At Birchensale, the equipment was donated thanks to the genosity of Redditch Lions Club, whose members decided to step in to help after they heard of Mrs and Mrs Underwood’s efforts to put this lifesaving equipment in all schools.
Once the equipment is installed at a location, training on how to use the equipment, and potentially save someone’s life, is given by West Midlands Ambulance Service.
A defibrillator is the only piece of equipment that will restore the heart rhythm. If a person goes into cardiac arrest it is crucial that the person is administered a therapeutic shock delivered by the defibrillator as quickly as possible. This gives the person the best chance of survival.
The automated external defibrillator is easy to use by the layperson, providing voice prompts to the rescuer.
The Underwoods said: “We would like to thank these schools for seeing the importance of having a defibrillator installed. Knowing it is going to protect everyone that is on these premises, from pupils to personnel, makes us truly happy.”
And added: “Thank you to all at Redditch Lions for your great support - you are all true lifesavers.”
For more information about putting a defibrillator somewhere in the community, call Anne Jolly, SADS UK, on 01277 811215, email info@sadsuk.org or visit www.sadsuk.org.
