A defibrillator has been donated to a Croydon school where a staff member almost died of a heart attack last year.

In 2017, a member of staff at Oasis Academy Ryelands collapsed after suffering a cardiac arrest.

With no defibrillator on school grounds, colleagues rushed to the nearby South Norwood swimming pool to obtain one whilst an ambulance was called.

Thankfully, the staff member made a full recovery, but the close call demonstrated the importance of having access to a defibrillator on site.

The Carly Heart Trust, a charity working to provide schools with lifesaving equipment, donated the defibrillator on October 16, thanks to a contribution from one of their sponsors, Purelake property developers.

Oasis Academy Ryeland’s Principal, Glenn Lillo, said: “We are extremely grateful to the Carly Heart Trust and to Purelake for this extremely kind donation.

“We have had a couple of medical emergencies at the Academy where a defibrillator could have potentially made the difference while the ambulance was on the way, and now we have the peace of mind that we have this resource not just for our pupils and staff but our local community.”

“Thank you too to Carly, Barry, and the Carly Heart Trust team for coming to meet with our pupils who learned about what to do in an emergency.”

Following last year’s incident, Principal Glenn Lillo approached the Carly Heart Trust for help in purchasing the Academy’s own device.

The Trust was established following trustee Carly Williams’ own serious medical emergency during her sister’s wedding.

Combined with trained CPR, using a defibrillator within 3-5 minutes of a cardiac arrest increases survival rates from 6% to 74%. Statistics are currently stark - 270 children die every year at school from sudden cardiac arrest.

Carly Williams, trustee, commented, “As I know from personal experience, life hangs in the balance during the frightening experience of a cardiac arrest.”

“Fortunately for me I was surrounded by family members who had received training in how to use a defibrillator, who saved my life.

“The Carly Heart Trust exists to provide defibrillators and training to ensure more people return home after suffering a heart attack. We were delighted to present this gift to the children today.”

To learn more visit: https://www.carlyhearttrust.com/