A PRIMARY school has purchased a lifesaving defibrillator after pupils skipped their way to fundraising.

The device, which gives the heart an electric shock, will be installed at Gosbecks Primary School, in Owen Ward Close, Colchester.

To raise funds to buy the defibrillator pupils and staff held a skipathon event with a fun-filled day of exercise.

The rest of the money was raised through donations by Elementary Technology and Roy Tolley Cars.

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The Hand on Heart Charity supplied the defibrillator and provided the free training for children and staff.

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Now the school will work with Colchester First Responders to put the defibrillator in an accessible place for the school and community.

Head teacher David Milligan said: “We want our children to have life skills beyond the classroom and also understand the importance of their community.

“When it came to raising money through the skipathon, the children were amazing and their families extremely generous.

“The defibrillator is one of those things you hope you never have to use, however, for the school and community to have easy access to one could simply be life saving.”

Hand on Heart works to raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest in young people and place defibrillators in schools and communities.

Colchester Council has worked in partnership with Colchester Borough Homes to fund and install 12 defibrillators across Colchester.

Colchester Community First Responders have been working alongside the council to find appropriate locations.

Colchester Council leader Mark Cory said “I am glad we have been able to support the provision of some new defibrillators which are undoubtedly important for the health and wellbeing of everyone”.

There are now more than 50 machines across the town.

The first responders aim to have an accessible defibrillator available, within 90 seconds of any incident.

Martin Ford, from Colchester Community First Responders, said: “We’ve been working closely with cardiac science and healthcare authorities to make significant progress.

“Our ambition is to make Colchester the most heart safe place in Britain.”