STAFF at a Solihull school have run 10k in the Birmingham running festival to top off a huge fundraising effort for a defibrillator.
Teachers and parents at Tudor Grange Primary Academy St James, in Shirley, trained hard to complete the 10k at Sutton Park.
Paulene Wensley, leader of the fundraising team, said: “As a collective of parents and staff, we set out to raise money to provide our school with its own defibrillator.
“It would be a huge potential benefit for everyone present on site – there are often children whom have undetected cardiac abnormalities whom would definitely benefit from having an AED close by.
“Likewise an additional and important advantage of having an AED prominently located on the school site is that students become familiar with them and can learn about first aid, resuscitation and the purpose of defibrillation.
“We were looking for £1500 to buy the AED and to set it up in our school.
“To reach the total, we had charity buckets out in the playground and raised over £150. We also sold heart-shaped biscuits on Valentine’s Day in school and raised £130. We now have a total of £1300 so we’re well on our way to smashing our target.”
Running at Sutton Park were the St James primary team, with Louise Caga, Joanne Brown, Kate Ginder, Matthew Ginder, Hayley Johnson, Mandy Bevins, Michelle Hampton and Helen Clarke.
‘Lucky to reach hospital in time’
Fellow runner Joanne Brown added: “My personal experience of caring for a child whom had an undetected cardiac abnormality began when my niece suddenly collapsed one day and was rushed to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
“After further tests it was discovered she had been living with a heart abnormality. We were very much aware of how lucky she was to have reached hospital in time for her to be treated by the medical team.
“If her collapse had been more severe she would not have had access to an AED, as they did not have one situated in her school.
“Her four siblings have attend Tudor Grange Primary Academy St James and as they have healthy cardiac systems, it is evident that children can have hereditary illness which is not picked up until an emergency situation occurs.
“As a parent i would like to think the best available technology would be close by if this occurred with one of my own children.”
