Lifesaving gift from mother

Dunstable mum Sarah Pyatt and her family with the plaque in memory of her son Jake

The 16-year-old died three years ago after suffering a cardiac arrest.

The lifesaving equipment works to restore the heart rhythm when this happens.

The earlier a defibrillator is used, the better the chance of survival. The equipment is user-friendly and provides voice prompts to the rescuer.

Sarah is a keen supporter of the Big Shock campaign – launched by national cardiac charity SADS UK to make the equipment avalable in all schools – and has donated a similar machine to All Saints Academy in Dunstable.

Training will be carried out by the East of England Ambulance Service.

SADS UK founder Anne Jolly said: “We’re grateful to Sarah who has given us significant support.

“And we’re pleased that the school will have a defibrillator on the premises to restart the heart in case of cardiac arrest.”

CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) provides a five percent chance of survival but this increases to more than 50 percent with the equipment.

> More info from SADS UK on 01277 811216 or visit www.sadsuk.org