Birchwood High School are a step ahead in Warrington

Thursday, 31 May 2012 12:57

 The school received a defibrillator four years ago after staff from the Birchwood Tennis Centre and school clubbed together to buy one. Hand on Heart are currently raising £21,000 to buy defibrillators for every secondary school in Warrington. The need for defibrillators in schools was highlighted recently by the death of 7 year-old Ciaran Geddes in Warrington.

Our campaign is supported by the Warrington Guardian and Warrington Wolves who are both encouraging local businesses and community groups to get involved with fundraising.

However, the Birchwood School are already ahead of us as their business manager, Ralph Johnson, and Mike Critchley and John Daniel from the Tennis Centre have already provided one.

“A lot of community groups who use the site are relieved we have got one," says Mr. Johnson. “I would definitely advise other schools to do the same, particularly if you are a community school like ours which is open during the evening for activities."

“It’s a valuable community resource.”

The defibrillator is kept at the Tennis Centre so that it is accessible to users of the gym, tennis centre and other nearby facilities as well as the school.

Mr Johnson added: "We decided we needed to do something after a youngster playing football on the all weather pitch suffered a cardiac arrest in the changing rooms. He was helped by some Wolves coaches who were in the building at as the club used the school as a base for its scholarship players."

“We put our heads together with the leisure centre to bid for funds to prevent any more serious incidents.”

To help fund defibrillators and CPR training for more schools in Warrington, text HAND66 to 70070 or donate via our Just Giving Page for Warrington!

To support our projects in other areas of the country you can text HAND88 to 70070 or visit our main Just Giving Page.