Lifesaving equipment installed at primary school

Gemma Saunders, from Farcet, attended Farcet C of E Primary School on Friday to present the school with a brand new defibrillator.

She was joined by her partner, Ashley Wilsdon, Kev Lawrence from Heart FM, and her two sons, Bradley, seven and Ben, 10, who are both pupils at the school.

Gemma launched the lifesaving campaign after being diagnosed in 2011 with a life threatening heart condition, called Long QT Syndrome (LQTS).

LQTS is a rare inherited or acquired heart condition in which delayed repolarization of the heart, following a heartbeat, increases the risk of episodes of irregular heartbeats.

“Following my diagnosis, my youngest son, Bradley collapsed last year and doctors believe he could have the same condition,” said Gemma. “He currently has a device installed in his chest which he must wear for the next three years to help monitor his heart.”

Since the launch of her campaign, not only has Gemma raised enough money for a defibrillator to be installed at the school, but she has also now raised enough to have one installed in the village - for the general public to use.

“My aim is to raise enough money for a total of eight defibrillators for the village, including the one that is installed at the school,” said Gemma. “I have already started a separate campaign to raise money for a defibrillator to be installed in Yaxley - which I hope everyone will help to support.”

To find out more visit both Facebook pages at Defibrillators for Farcet and Defibrillators for Yaxley.