South Ossett Infants Academy is proud to announce the installation of a brand-new community defibrillator, now available for public use 24 hours a day. The device, funded and installed through the generous support of Our Jay Foundation and Carousel Holdings Ltd, has been fitted to the exterior of the school building, directly outside the main Reception, to ensure quick and easy access in an emergency.
Our Jay Foundation is a national charity dedicated to increasing the number of publicly accessible defibrillators across the country. The charity also campaigns and provides training to raise awareness of CPR and the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). Their work is carried out in memory of Jamie Rees, who suffered an unexplained cardiac arrest on New Year’s Day 2022 and tragically passed away at just 18 years old. Since then, Our Jay Foundation has funded more than 300 defibrillators nationwide.
Installation was organised free of charge thanks to Carousel Holdings Ltd, a local facilities management provider working exclusively within the education sector to improve and maintain facilities that directly benefit children and the wider community.
Hannah Young, Headteacher, said: “The addition of the defibrillator marks an important step in strengthening emergency provision for families, neighbours, and visitors across the area. Schools sit at the heart of local life, and it is important to us that we contribute to the safety and wellbeing of everyone nearby.
“Every second counts during a cardiac arrest, so having a publicly accessible device can make a critical difference. We hope people will spread the word so that as many residents as possible know where the defibrillator is located.”
Naomi Rees-Issitt, Chair of Our Jay Foundation and Jamie’s mother, added: “We are proud that we could support with funding and providing an external defibrillator cabinet, meaning that the South Ossett Infants Academy defibrillator could be made community accessible 24/7. We confirm that we have also registered this defibrillator on The Circuit (999).
“As always, we hope this defibrillator is never needed, but we are relieved that it will now be available at all times, for the students, staff and the whole community.”
