EVERY Heart Matters campaigner Emily Faulkner handed over her second defib to Dodford First School on Friday.
The ten-year-old, who is striving to put one of the life-saving devices in every school in Bromsgrove district, has already provided one for Parkside, the school she attends.
The Dodford defib has been placed in a combination lock cabinet on the outside of the building meaning it can also be used by members of the village community as well as the school.
The staff had a training session with Rob Underwood from Charlotte and Craig Saving Hearts Foundation after the handover. The charity, created in memory of Rob and wife Maggie’s two children, has backed Emily’s campaign which has also seen her design her own clothing range made by Focal Image, owned by her auntie Gail Fry.
Many parents and children have bought some of Emily’s clothes which have the Every Heart Matters logo on and they have been on sale in the school.
Dodford First School will also hold a heart awareness day today (Monday) where children will learn about the heart in assemblies and in the classroom.
Headteacher Lisa Parkes said: “I think it’s fantastic for such a young lady to be so dedicated to the cause.
“She should be so proud of herself.
“It’s good to know if a child did collapse we would have the defib there and people trained to use it.
“And it can also be used by the village.”
Emily’s drive has so far raised £4,176, almost half towards her target and she is currently designing some Every Heart Matters Christmas clothing.
Emily told The Standard: “I can’t believe how quickly it has taken off and all the support we have had.”
Gail said: “We are so grateful to Dodford School for the support it has given and we are hoping other schools, people and organisations will also support the campaign.
“It is about making people aware that if everyone gives a bit, it can collectively make a massive difference.
“If schools help towards the funding, we can get the defibs quicker and then we will have a head start on the next one.”
The defib will cost just £2 worth of electricity a year to power.
Gail added since the drive began community groups and sports clubs had also expressed an interest in the campaign.
Rob said: “What Emily has done is an amazing achievement for her and the schools.
“If a ten-year-old can get on an understand the importance of the devices then so can everybody else.
“The more schools and communities that get involved in the campaign the better it is for everyone and more lives will be saved.”
Rob also thanked Three Seas Electrical for installing the cabinet the defib is in free of charge.
To donate to the cause visit localgiving.org/fundraising/everyheartmattersx or search for ‘Every Heart Matters by Emily Faulkner’ on Facebook for more on the campaign.
