Foyle MP Durkan signs up as a ‘Defibrillator Champion’ for Derry

SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan has signed up as a “Defibrillator Champion” for Derry, pledging to work with local schools to ensure they get the lifesaving equipment which will protect students, teachers and visitors whilst at school.

As part of European Restart a Heart Day at Westminster, Mr Durkan visited The Oliver King Foundation at their launch event to show his support.

The Foundation was set up following the tragic death of 12-year-old Oliver King from a sudden cardiac arrest – which kills 12 young people every week.

Oliver won a swimming race at school shortly before his tragic death.

Mr Durkan said early access to a defibrillator was “vital.”

He added: “For every minute that passes, chances of survival drop by 10%.

“I am therefore delighted to work as a ‘Defibrillator Champion’ for Derry.

“It is vital that we take action to prevent any loss of life where one can be saved.

“I will be working with local schools in my constituency to get lifesaving defibrillators in our area, protecting our students, teachers and visitors whilst at school.

“It was also interesting to hear from the Foundation about how many lives have been saved, including a caretaker at a school who had only received the defibrillator two weeks earlier.”

Pboto shows Mr Durkan signing up as a ‘Defibrillator Champion’ at Westminster with Jake Morrison, chief executive of The Oliver King Foundation, and Oliver King’s father, Mark King.