Campaigner secures defibrillator in friend's memory

Student paramedic Amy Shadbolt and Professor Sally Moyle, pro vice-chancellor for health and science at the University of Worcester where there are six defibrillators

A paramedic student at the University of Worcester was surprised live on BBC Hereford & Worcester on Friday when she was told a national foundation had decided to donate a defibrillator in memory of her friend.

Amy Shadbolt, 21, began a campaign for more public defibrillators after her course-mate died in a road crash.

Mark King, founder of The Oliver King Foundation, which was created in memory of his 12-year-old son, said he would personally deliver the device.

Speaking to Ms Shadbolt, Mr King said: "I am going to bring a community access box, we will get a nice plaque made in loving memory of your friend who passed away, we will get it fitted up and get it over and we will train as many people as you can get your hands on."

Ms Shadbolt said: "I am a bit overwhelmed, that is really kind and means a lot to me and a lot of other people."

The Worcester-based student had already raised more than £900 in the hopes of fitting a defibrillator at Henwick Road Co-op in Worcester, where her friend died.

The Oliver King Foundation was set up in January 2012.

The youngster suffered a cardiac arrest while taking part in a swimming race in a location that had no defibrillator. He died from Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome, a hidden heart condition that kills 12 young people every week.

Early defibrillation within three to five minutes of collapse can increase survival rates by as high as 70%, according to the Resuscitation Council UK.

Mr King told BBC Hereford & Worcester that he had already placed more than 6,000 defibrillators across the country and had trained 160,000 people how to use them.

"Since 2012, I have been campaigning with the government so we can have defibs as common place as a fire extinguisher," he said.