Former pupil inspires efforts to raise money for school defibrillator

Cyclists raised hundreds of pounds towards a new defibrillator for a school, inspired by the story of a former pupil who survived a cardiac arrest.

Six staff from the Orchard School, Newark, completed an 80-mile round trip from the town to Rutland on Saturday.

The driving force behind the challenge was the experience of Charlie Long, who attended the school from 11 to 19.

He suffered a cardiac arrest at the school on March 15, 2013. He was 17 at the time.

Teachers immediately administered CPR and kept Charlie alive until paramedics arrived.

They used a defibrillator twice to re-start his heart.

Charlie’s parents, Bridget and Steve Long, of William Street, Newark, have lent their full support for the team’s efforts to raise money for the defibrillator, a device that gives a high-energy electric shock to the heart of someone who is in cardiac arrest.

The staff’s quick reactions saved Charlie’s life, but should the situation happen again access to a defibrillator would increase a person’s chances of staying alive.

“If the school hadn’t done what they did then Charlie would not be alive,” Bridget said.

“The staff were brilliant at the time and after Charlie returned to school.

“Something like this is very rare but if having a defibrillator helps somebody in the future then I am all for it.

“It means people can shock someone straight away, which is vital.”

'I am still here, so let's carry on'

Charlie, now 22, has myotonic dystrophy, a long-term genetic disorder that means his muscles will continue to get weaker, although his cardiac arrest was linked to electrical issues with the heart.

Bridget said her son was positive about his future.

“His attitude is: ‘I am still here, so let’s carry on’,” she said.

“When he was in hospital we were all very worried about him of course. But the first thing he said was: ‘Can you tape Match Of The Day for me?’ so we knew he would be all right.

“Charlie knows what his limits are now in terms of physical exercise.

“He has been fitted with a ‘box’ (an implantable device) in his chest that will ‘shock’ him if his heart rate is too fast.

“He attends the Mencap day service from Monday to Thursday and is very happy doing all the activities there.”

The Orchard School team comprised Craig Porter, Tammy Bevan, Jantine Nusselder, Joshua Marshall, Paul Housley and Andrew Holmes.

Although they have not yet collected all of the fundraising money, they are confident they will come close to their target of £1,500.

Tammy said: “It was a nice route with lots of hills and, although it was very hot, we all came back in one piece.

“We had a good welcoming committee when we arrived back at Oscar’s Inn, with parents, students and staff there.”