A SCHOOL janitor is hoping to raise funds to put life-saving equipment outside his school after his wife suffered a major heart attack while on holiday with their children.

Norrie Campbell, who works at Cockenzie Primary School, has donated money to buy a defibrillator – a device which can be used to help someone suffering a cardiac arrest – following his own experiences.

Norrie was inspired to take action after his wife Donna, 52, suffered a heart attack while visiting her family in Stornoway last August and had to be airlifted to hospital with the couple’s children Elle, 15, and Finlay, eight.

The school janitor revealed he had already lost two brothers, who died from sudden heart attacks, when Donna was unexpectedly take ill.

And he disclosed that, since then, he had suffered a minor heart scare himself.

Norrie told the Courier: “Heart attacks can happen at any age and I lost my brothers, aged 54 and 60, in the space of four years.

“When it happened to Donna last August it really drove home how common it is and the difference that can be made by having life-saving equipment to hand.

“It made me realise how vital those early moments can be and what a difference something like a defibrillator could make.

“Just after Christmas I had a minor heart scare myself – and I look after my health – but it’s a reminder it can happen to anyone at any time.”

Cockenzie Primary School teacher Victoria O’Neill co-ordinates first aid training in the school with monthly courses for parents and members of the community.

She said: “At the school we offer free CPR and defibrillator training for parents and others in the community.

“Lots of people have already taken advantage of these free ‘Basic Life Support’ courses on the last Tuesday of every month, starting at 6.30pm.

“Pupils at Cockenzie also learn first aid through the British Heart Foundation Heartstart programme and our regular ‘masterclasses’.

“Younger children learn how to check for life-threatening injuries, put someone in the recovery position as well as deal with bleeding and choking. Primary 7 pupils expand their knowledge by adding CPR skills.”

Miss O’Neill, who is a trained first responder, is an experienced first aid instructor. The course aims to teach people the skills, as well as tackle some of the myths surrounding CPR, such as whether someone could be hurting the person or making the situation worse, which are not true.

The best chance of survival is if CPR is started quickly and a defibrillator used. It can increase the chance of surviving by 74 per cent.

The school is fundraising to purchase a secure cabinet which will allow it to put the defibrillator, bought by Norrie’s donation, outside the school so members of the public can access it at any time.

The next course of CPR and defibrillator training at the school is being held on Tuesday, April 25.