ST MATTHEW’S Primary School in Blackmoor has installed life-saving equipment thanks to The Oliver King Foundation.

In March 2011, 12-year-old Oliver King died while at a swimming lesson in King David High School in Liverpool. He suffered a sudden cardiac arrest.

Now, The Oliver King Foundation is leading the campaign to see a lifesaving defibrillator available in every school across the UK.

Since its creation in 2012, The Oliver King Foundation has placed more than 1,000 defibrillators within schools and sports facilities.

Every week in the UK 12 people under the age of 35 die from sudden arrhythmic death syndrome - a hidden heart condition that can strike even the most fit and healthy people.

By installing defibrillators in schools, sports centres and other public places, lives can be saved.

February 9 marked the five-year anniversary of the foundation, and founder Mark King said he was “delighted” to attend St Matthew’s Primary School to present it with a defibrillator.

St Matthew’s is the first school in Hampshire to join forces with the foundation.

Hampshire County Council leader Roy Perry commended the work of the foundation, and pledged his support to roll out the campaign across Hampshire’s 535 schools.

“The Oliver King Foundation does laudable work campaigning to increase the provision of defibrillators in public places, including schools and sports centres.

“The county is keen to be involved in work to improve survival from sudden cardiac death in Hampshire.”

Mr King added: “Today was a special day for The Oliver King Foundation as it was our fifth anniversary. It was a pleasure to attend St Matthew’s Primary School, our launch school in Hampshire, to present it with a life-saving defibrillator.

“Installing defibrillators across schools and public places ensures that lives can be saved.”

Jennifer Malone, headteacher at St Matthew’s, said that in December last year the school had decided this would be their fundraising push during the Christmas period. And, within just a week, the school raised £1,200 for a defibrillator.

A spokesman from the school said: “The Oliver King Foundation touched our hearts at Christmas time and we were honoured to be its launch school yesterday.

“We had 10 staff members trained to use the defibrillator and Mark King from the foundation delivered an assembly to the whole school. We hope and pray we will never have to use the defibrillator but know that we are fully trained and could possibly save a life.”