Thirteenth school to receive life-saving equipment

Buy photos » Birchensale deputy headteacher Tim Jones learns how to use the defibrilator with Bill Southworth, President of Redditch Lions and Robert Underwood. Picture by Marcus Mingins 0913011MMR

A REDDITCH school now has the benefit of life-saving equipment after coming top in a public vote.

Woodfield Academy in Lodge Park was backed by almost 500 people to receive a defibrillator in a poll on the Redditch Heart Safe Facebook page.

The machine is the only piece of equipment which can shock the heart back into rhythm in the event of a cardiac arrest. It was donated using funds raised by Matchborough couple Robert and Maggie Underwood in memory of their daughter Charlotte, who passed away aged 16 from Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS).

Mr Underwood said: "There were a lot of schools people were suggesting and there's clearly a demand from the public for these defibrillators and they are going to headteachers and asking for this to be done.

"We're just thankful to everybody for their support and for getting involved."

The pair have been working with the charity SADS UK to get defibrillators installed in all schools and other public places across Redditch.

As a result of their efforts 13 schools now have the equipment as well as Redditch United and the YMCA in Church Hill.

Others to benefit recently include Walkwood Middle School, St Luke's First School and Birchensale Middle School which received its machine thanks to a generous donation of £1,000 from Redditch Lions.

The Underwoods added: "Thank you to all at Redditch Lions for your great support you are all true life savers."

Visit www.sadsuk.org for more information on the charity or www.facebook.com/RedditchHeartSafe for a list of venues where defibrillators are installed.

Share This

Regional news »