Kids provide life-saving boost

Staff and pupils at Thackley Primary School held a fundraising event to raise money for a life-saving defibrillator on Valentine’s Day this year.  ‘Save a Heart Day’ was such a great success the school managed to raise enough money for two life-saving machines. The day involved a series of fundraising activities which included all the children coming to school wearing red or pink, a Valentine’s bun sale and a raffle for a teddy bear and Valentine’s hamper. The school has also received donations from the local community and businesses. Thackley Primary School welcomed the arrival of the new life-saving piece of equipment outside the school and have decided to donate the second defibrillator to nearby Thackley Cricket Club. Executive Headteacher – Trevor Patterson, Head of School – Annette Patterson and KS1 Teacher – Kate Bainbridge presented the life-saving machine to Alan Cuff, Treasurer of Thackley Cricket Club. Alan Cuff from Thackley Cricket Club said:  “I would like to thank everyone involved at Thackley Primary School and the local community for donating such a special and important piece of equipment to the club.” Both kits will be available for the wider community to use in emergency situations. Annette Patterson – Head of School at Thackley Primary School said: “We are delighted to be able to donate one of the life-saving defibrillators to Thackley Cricket Club for the local community to have access to.  Sudden cardiac arrest is the UK’s biggest killer but access to a defibrillator can increase a person’s chances of survival to between 70 and 90 per cent. “We recognised the importance of having a defibrillator in both locations, our school and the local community – and were driven to succeed in raising enough money to make it happen. We are thrilled and incredibly proud of our achievements and very grateful to the children, parents and local community for their support.” Michael Jameson, Bradford Council’s Strategic Director for Children’s Services said: “This is an excellent achievement by the pupils of Thackley Primary School who not only wanted to ensure that their peers at school had access to this life-saving equipment, but also the wider community.  Congratulations and well done to everyone involved.”

Pupils raise money for life-saving Defibrillator

Pupils at Thackley Primary School hosted ‘Save a Heart Day’ on Valentine’s Day in order to raise money for a life-saving Defibrillator.  The school hopes to raise enough money to buy a defibrillator to be kept outside the school grounds and available to the public 24 hours a day, meaning residents and anyone at school can get the help they need in an emergency.

The school took part in the ‘Save a Heart Day’ with a series of fundraising activities which included all the children coming to school wearing red or pink, a fantastic Valentine’s bun sale and a raffle for a teddy bear and Valentine’s hamper!

The school has also received generous donations from the local community & businesses of which they are very thankful, Jigsaw Out of School and Holiday Playscheme, The White Bear Public House, and parent Tracey Hall who made & sold heart shaped cakes.

Kate Bainbridge who is a KS2 teacher at Thackley Primary School and leading on the fundraising said:

“Thackley Primary School hopes to raise enough money to buy a life-saving defibrillator for the school and wider community.

Sudden cardiac arrest is the UK’s biggest killer, killing 100,000 every year, and 15 young people every week.  Having a defibrillator at the school for us and the local community increases a person’s chances of survival to between 70 and 90 per cent.”

Coun Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Education, Employment and Skills said:

“Congratulations to the staff, pupils and parents at Thackley Primary School on raising funds to go towards this life-saving equipment.  We hope they reach their goal to fund the defibrillator.

Hopefully this will not need to be used but it is reassuring for the school and the community that the defibrillator is available if required”.

To make a donation, please contact:  Mrs. Annette Patterson, Head of School T 01274 414437.

Follow Thackley Primary School on Twitter: @ThackleyPrimary