For the 2021/22 academic year, Ipswich Prep School’s fundraising efforts supported The Oliver King Foundation with a goal to be able to provide defibrillators, and training to use the device for local primary schools. 

Oliver King was a 12-year-old boy who tragically suffered a sudden cardiac arrest due to a condition known as Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS). This condition kills 12 young people under the age of 35 every single week in the UK. Sadly there was no lifesaving defibrillator on hand, and for every minute that passed, Oliver’s chances of survival dropped significantly.

In his memory The Foundation’s work has saved lives, placing over 5,900 lifesaving defibrillators across the UK and 135,00 staff trained in CPR and defibrillation. 

At the end of the school year Ipswich Prep had raised £5,372.12 which equates to a defibrillator and training for three local primary schools: Handford Hall, Halifax and The Willows.

Funds were raised via: Christmas Hamper – raffle tickets were sold for a chance to win a festive hamper created by one of the school houses; Heart Boxes – pupils designed their own heart-shaped boxes to take home during February half-term and were encouraged to take part in ‘heartfelt’ chores or activities with loved ones in return for donations towards the fundraising; Collections – donations were made at various events across the school year: Christmas performances, Year 6 play and Sports Day; Sponsorship – a staff member took part in the Virtual London Marathon. 

Pupils across all years were involved in the fundraising efforts during 2021/22, from Reception to Year 6. 

On Monday 5 September, Mark King from the Foundation visited Ipswich to deliver the defibrillators and the training.