George inspires school to get lifesaving devices

I WANT to be Spiderman . . . George May, a typical cheeky six-year-old

LIFE-SAVING defibrillators are set to be installed at a Royton primary school after an appeal by the family of a pupil with a serious heart condition.

Six-year-old George May, who attends St Anne’s School, was born with a complex heart defect. His mum Joanne has started a campaign to have defibrillators introduced in all schools after witnessing first-hand how important the equipment can be.

After George’s birth he was rushed to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool for treatment, and at five days old he suffered a cardiac arrest and was within minutes of death.

George underwent a complex 12-hour surgery a few days later. Over the next week he improved and was finally able to be held by his mother.

What followed was a rollercoaster ride through recovery before little George was strong enough to go home for the first time and spend time with his bothers Jacob, now 12, and William, now eight.

Six years on, George is a typical young boy who loves playing with his friends.

His mum added: “He is a very happy, cheeky, boisterous little boy who says he wants to be Spiderman when he grows up.

George has regular check ups and though his heart was repaired, his heart rate is slower than normal due to other problems

Inspired by her son’s health, Joanne approached the Royton school to see if it would be interested in funding a defibrillator that might save not only her son’s life, but that of any child or adult at the school who experienced a sudden heart problem.

The school has named the project “Hands on Hearts” and is determined to acquire two defibrillators for the school, which is split over two sites on Broadway.

The Parents and Teachers Association (PTA), with the help of parent and GP Dr Bodrul Alam, successfully bid for one defibrillator through a scheme by cardiac charity Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS UK). Now it is busy raising money for a second £1,100 device.

Head teacher Sue Holt said: “I am immensely proud of the way our parents, governors, staff and our children have fully supported this project.”

Joanne said: “I hope that it will inspire other schools to consider installing a device.”