Neil O’Brien MP for Harborough, Oadby and Wigston has given his support to a campaign calling for a defibrillator to be placed in every school in the UK.
The Oliver King Foundation was founded in 2012 after 12-year-old Oliver King suffered a sudden cardiac arrest whilst at a swimming lesson in school. Without access to a lifesaving defibrillator in or near the school, his chances of survival dropped significantly with every minute that went by, resulting in his tragic death.
Every week 12 young people die because of cardiac arrest. The Oliver King Foundation aims to decrease this number by ensuring that by 2020 every school in the country has access to a defibrillator.
Neil O’Brien MP said: “The work the Oliver King Foundation does is invaluable and deserves more support and recognition.
Early access to a defibrillator is vital. For every minute that passes following a cardiac arrest, chances of survival drop by 10%. Studies have shown that access to a defibrillator can increase survival rates by a massive 75%.
I’d like to thank all the volunteers and supporters of the Foundation for working tirelessly to help preserve lives. It was inspiring to hear about the 23 lives saved by defibrillators placed around the UK by the Oliver King Foundation.”
Mark King, father of 12-year-old Oliver King who died from a sudden cardiac arrest said: “For the last six years, I’ve driven across the country delivering over 2,000 defibrillators. The Foundation has provided first aid training to over 22,000 people. I miss my son every day, I’m determined that no other family has to suffer the same loss. I won’t rest until every school has access to a defibrillator by the time, Oliver would have been 21, in 2020.”