Life savers

Knowsley Council recently launched a scheme to provide every school in the borough with a life-saving defibrillator.

The launch saw the council invest £70,000 in equipment and training for all primary, secondary and special schools within Knowsley.

It is supported by the Oliver King Foundation, which was set up in memory of 12-year-old Oliver King, who sadly died at his Liverpool school in March 2011 from Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS).

The initiative saw the culmination of the scheme with a special celebration at St John Fisher Primary School, Knowsley Village. Oliver’s father, Mark King and George Howarth MP, presented the school with its defibrillator.

During the launch, hosted by Liverpool councillor Jake Morrisson, staff, children and parents listened to a presentation on the importance of defibrillators, the children then launched 61 blue balloons from the playground, each balloon representing a Knowsley school receiving a defibrillator through the scheme.

Knowsley Council’s cabinet member for children and family services, Cllr Graham Wright, said: “I’m delighted that we are introducing defibrillators in all Knowsley schools and it is fantastic to have the support of the Oliver King Foundation.

“It is absolutely crucial that children and young people are well looked after during the school day. Having a defibrillator on site means that trained staff will be able to take swift, life-saving action in the thankfully rare event that one may be required.”

Mark King, founder of the Oliver King Foundation, said: “It is a great pleasure that The Oliver King Foundation will be working in partnership with Knowsley Borough Council.

“It’s fantastic news that Knowsley Council are ensuring that each school will have fully trained staff who can use a defibrillator and all schools in the borough will now have the much needed access to life-saving equipment.”