BROMSGROVE’S Emily Faulkner – who launched the Every Heart Matters campaign to raise enough funds to put a defibrillator in every school in the district – has handed over her first device.
Emily’s first defib was presented to her own school – Parkside Middle – on Tuesday after Emily had previously realised Parkside did not have one.
Rob Underwood from the Charlotte and Craig Saving Hearts Foundation (CCSHF) attended the handover and then trained Parkside’s first aid staff.
It was Rob and Maggie Underwood’s story which led to Emily launching her campaign. The pair started the charity when they lost two of their children – Charlotte and Craig – to rare heart conditions.
Emily has now raised a massive £3,793 in total, enough for four defibrillators.
The defibs are the quickest reacting on the market and are simple to use, increasing the chances of survival for a cardiac arrest.
Emily is aiming to raise enough money for 13 units to put in all the local schools which currently do not have a defibrillator.
The ten-year-old is still selling her clothing range which is available to order through her ‘Every Heart Matters’ Facebook page at her grandad’s store Focal Image on Broad street in Bromsgrove.
Emily said: “I’m really amazed to have raised enough money for hand over my first defibrillator already and want to thank everyone who has helped.”
Rob said: “CCSHF would like to thank Emily and her family for there amazing support with our charity.
“We are very proud of Emily for seeing the importance of life saving defibrillators and supporting our aim to create HEARTSAFE schools and helping to save lives.
“Bromsgrove schools will be a safer place for our children thanks to Emily’s amazing fund-raising.
“Please support Emily no matter how small.
“As Emily says ‘every heart really does matter’.”
He added the charity was looking forward to supporting Emily in donating defibs to Bromsgrove schools and asked any other groups or organisations wanting help getting a defib for their school, community or workplace to get in touch.
Anyone wanting to make a donation should visit localgiving.org/fundraising/everyheartmattersx and pledge there.
Gail Fry from Focal Image said: “We would like to thank everyone for there support and welcome and more donations or contributions to the amazing cause.”
More details on the cause are available at the Charlotte and Craig Saving Hearts Foundation website – ccshf.org.uk – and people can also donate there.
