A PRIMARY school in Wrexham has received a defibrillator thanks to a children's heart charity.

Staff and pupils at the Alexandra Community Primary School accepted the lifesaving gift from the charity, Hand on Heart, during a recent special assembly.

Following on from the UK Heart Safe Awards - which was hosted by the charity itself - was an event aimed to honour those who have saved lives and to organisations that take on board the move to be become heart safe by having defibrillators on site.

With 14 awards up for grabs along with 'special recognition awards', the evening was one of emotion and applause, as guests heard amazing stories of bravery and dedication in creating awareness of sudden cardiac arrest.

As the awards event celebrated its eighth year, a fundraising activity during the night was to seek support to fully fund eight schools across the UK to receive a defibrillator and training package courtesy from the evenings guests and many organisations.

The response was so overwhelming and the total amount of pledges will allow the charity to support not just eight but a total of 17 schools.

Mrs Lisa Roberts, headteacher of Alexandra Primary School, said: "We are absolutely delighted that Hand on Heart have kindly chosen our school to benefit from having a defibrillator - thank you.

"Over the past 12 months, we've had two incidents where we realised how important it was to have a defibrillator on site.

"A child was taken seriously ill and we had to send a member of staff running to a local supermarket to loan their defibrillator, wasting valuable time - as well as a friend of our school who suffered a cardiac arrest and was saved with the help of a defibrillator.

"Whilst we hope to never use the equipment, it could prove to be vital in helping to save a life."

A defibrillator is a machine that sends a high energy electric shock through the heart - with the aim of this shock is to return a heart to its normal working state if it goes into cardiac arrest.

Emma Short, training development coordinator from Hand on Heart, who was present at the presentation, said: "I am delighted that we can support these schools and offer lifesaving skills to pupils making them our futures life savers, with statistics showing us that 12 young people will lose their lives every week from having a cardiac arrest, making schools heart safe environment is so important."

Hand on Heart is keen to hear from any local businesses, organisations or individuals who are willing to support a school with sponsorship, fundraising, or making a donation.

For further information, contact Lesley Appleton via www.handonheart.org or via 0845 071 0822