Claudia’s leaving gift will have a lasting impact
RAISED FUNDS FOR DEFIBRILLATOR
A PRIMARY school pupil in Seaham has raised funds to get a defibrillator to support the school community and save lives.
Claudia Collings, 11, raised over £1,000 to help St Mary Magdalen’s Catholic Primary School, which is part of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, to purchase the life-changing device.
Claudia teamed up with Professor Michael Norton from a charity called Cardioproof, which is a non-profit organisation based in the North East. Its objective is to significantly improve survival from sudden cardiac arrest.
As a pupil with a keen interest in CPR, Claudia knew the importance of having a defibrillator on hand to assist in potentially life-saving procedures.
And as her school didn’t have access to one, she wanted to give back to the primary for all of the help and knowledge they had given her over the years, while making it a safer place for staff and students alike.
Speaking on her Justgiving page, she wrote: “My primary school, St Mary Magdalen’s, has always felt like a happy family to me. I will miss the staff and my fellow pupils a lot when I leave in July.
“I have really enjoyed my seven years at this wonderful school and would like to give a little something back before I leave for comprehensive school.
“I have a keen interest in CPR and know the importance of having access to a defibrillator or AED quickly during a cardiac arrest.
“I would like to raise money for a defibrillator for my school so they have this important piece of life-saving equipment on site.”
Claudia managed to raise £911 through her crowdfunding page. Charity Cardioproof boosted the total amount by a further £100 to see the youngster double her initial £506 target.
Andrea Goodwin, head teacher at St Mary Magdalen’s, said: “We are all super proud of Claudia and the work she has done to fundraise to help buy a defibrillator to have here in our school.
“As she moves on to secondary school, she’s left a lasting legacy at St Mary’s with helping to gift us the defibrillator, which means we have a vital piece of life-saving equipment on site.
“It’s a wonderfully kind gesture for the school and we really appreciate it. Thank you, Claudia and also to Cardioproof who has helped ensure this fundraising mission has become a reality.”
Claudia, added: “I wanted to do it so that if people didn’t feel safe if they had a cardiac arrest and there was not a defibrillator there, this would help.”