Heartbeat’s life saving donation

Fax players bring defibrillator from Heartbeat of Sport, to Highbury School, Rastrick. Pictured are Scott Murrell, Tony Tonks, Amelia Waterhouse, Donna Waterhouse, Steve Whitaker, Georgia Beadham and Adam Robinson

With the help of Heartbeat of Sport, the Highbury School in Rastrick has raised enough money for the charity to install a heart defibrillator.

Tony Tonks from Heartbeat, visited the school, which teaches children with disabilities and special needs, and teamed up with the Friends group to get the equipment for the school.

“We were invited by the school’s head teacher to first look around the facilities that they have and to give a talk on what our charity is about and how we could work together to get a defibrillator into the school premises.

“It was a very humbling experience to witness the hard work all the staff put in on a daily basis to make sure everything is perfect for the children who attend.

“As we were walking around, we noticed that the school had a brand new hydrotherapy pool installed and there were two of the children having lots of fun splashing around in the warm water.

“After we had seen all the school had to offer we got asked to join a coffee meeting, which the Friends of Highbury have after the children’s assembly. We gave a short presentation about who we are and why we believed that the school needed a defibrillator. The response was great.”

With fund raising ideas in place, the challenge began and Mr Tonks said it was great news they could hand over the equipment and aid with the safety of the pupils and staff.

Heartbeat of Sport is a formed in October 2012, and was started by local businessman Tony Abbott and focuses on one main goal, to reduce the number of Sudden Cardiac Arrests (SCA’s) that happen in sports and the sporting community.

Steve Whitaker, premises manager and lifeguard at Highbury School, said the Friends group had worked closely with Tony Tonks, of Heartbeat of Sport, to buy the defibrillator for the school.

“The Friends have raised £700 for the equipment and Heartbeat of Sport will provide the training for 10 members of staff to use it,” said Steve.

“The hydrotherapy pool at Highbury has re-opened after being refurbished and it gives peace of mind to know that there is a defibrillator on the premises.

“There is much more awareness of the need for this equipment in public buildings and sports centres these days.”