FOR OLLIE.. DEFIBS IN EVERY SCHOOL
Victory 11 years after death of lad, 12
MOMENTS after winning a school swimming race, 12-year-old Oliver King suffered a fatal cardiac arrest.
Eleven years later his parents Mark and Joanne King have won a campaign for defibrillators in all state schools.
Mark said last night: “I’m delighted that, after our decade-long fight, the Government has finally listened and schools will now be equipped with them.
“It will mean families up and down the country won’t ever have to go through the pain that we did when we lost our Ollie.
“If there had been a defibrillator on site, our son would be alive today.”
Research shows using a defibrillator on a patient within five minutes of a cardiac arrest raises survival chances by over 40%.
Yesterday the Government committed to funding at least one in every school in England, with more for larger campuses, by next July. The total required is estimated to be more than 20,000, with the first deliveries expected before Christmas.
The Department for Education said it would build on existing requirements for schools to teach first aid.
Education Secretary James Cleverly said: “The evidence shows defibrillators drastically increase the chance of survival from cardiac arrest.”
Oliver, a promising footballer with dreams of playing for Everton, died at King David High School in Childwall,
Merseyside in 2011. His parents still live in the area and last September they were given a special recognition award for their campaigning achievements by the Liverpool Echo.
The Oliver King Foundation, which they set up in memory of their son, was named Charity of the Year at the 2021 European Diversity Awards.
As well as lobbying for defibrillators to be provided in public places, the charity provides training in awareness and first aid skills.
Former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher, who supported their campaign, said the Government’s announcement was “fantastic news.”
He added: “This is testament to the relentless and unwavering campaigning of Mark and Joanne. They are an inspirational couple.”
No family now has to go through the pain that we did MARK KING FATHER OF 12-YEAR-OLD OLIVER