'We don't want more families to lose loved ones'

Oliver King died in 2011 after his heart stopped during a school swimming lesson

A grieving dad who campaigned for more community defibrillators following the sudden death of his son 14 years ago has announced plans to open the UK's first cardiac disease testing, prevention and support centre.

Mark King's 12-year-old son Oliver suffered a cardiac arrest during a school swimming lesson in Liverpool in 2011.

The Oliver King Foundation said it had saved 89 lives since it was set up by Mr King, and had provided about 7,000 defibrillators and specialist training.

He announced plans to open the new centre in Liverpool after being presented with his OBE by King Charles in a ceremony at Windsor Castle.

Mark King, his wife Joanne, and Oliver's younger brother Ben attended the ceremony at Windsor Castle, bringing with them a framed photo of Oliver

Mr King, who has been honoured for his services to charity, said he spoke to King Charles about the foundation's mission to ensure young people could have their heart health tested.

He said he and his colleagues had been to Italy to learn more about how tests are conducted there, and whether the UK could benefit from the Italian model.

Mr King, from the Childwall area of Liverpool, said he had invited Charles to the city to open the new centre "if he fancies it", joking that it was "an offer he can't refuse".

"We're close to getting it [the centre] and that's why we've announced it," he said.

Mr King said that, according to government statistics, 12 young lives are lost to cardiac arrests every week in the UK.

"The success behind us is down to the passion of people in Liverpool and beyond and I'm only here for our Ol, to pick the OBE up for him," he said.

"He never let us down once while he was here and we won't let him down now."

More centres planned

Oliver, who attended King David School, had Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS), a condition which claims the lives of about 500 people each year in the UK.

The cause of SADS-related cardiac arrests have not been found.

Mr King said the Liverpool electrocardiogram (ECG) testing centre would be dedicated to early detection and support for those at risk of heart conditions, particularly students and athletes.

Cardiac specialists will be located at the centre to guide patients through testing, results and any necessary follow-up care that may be required, Mr King said.

He said he hoped to secure funding to open similar centres across the country.

Mr King's previous campaigning has led to the government ensuring every state school in England has access to a defibrillator.