The Oliver King Foundation was set up in 2012 following the death of 12-year-old Oliver. He died from a sudden cardiac arrest whilst at school. If a defibrillator had been available on that day, it could have saved Oliver’s life.
Every single year in the UK 600 young people die from Sudden Cardiac Arrest. It is estimated that 270 of these deaths occur in schools. Every week in the UK 12 young people die from sudden cardiac arrest. Nearly half of those deaths occur at school. Asthma is a well-known risk factor for Sudden Cardiac Arrest. Recently a study from Denmark has found that children and young adults with diabetes have seven times the risk of sudden cardiac death, than young people without diabetes. Only 1 in every 10 who suffer a cardiac arrest survives.
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%.
Signing up to become a Defibrillator Champion for Cardiff West, Kevin Brennan MP said:
“I am proud to become a lifesaving Defibrillator Champion for Cardiff West. It is vital that we take action to prevent any loss of life. I will be working with local schools to fundraise and get lifesaving defibrillators in our area, protecting our school children and teachers.
“It was inspiring to hear about the 25 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.”
For more information about Defibrillator’s please contact The Oliver King Foundation on 0151 728 3470 or email campaigns@theoliverkingfoundation.co.uk.