EACH year in the UK, 30,000 people suffer a sudden cardiac arrest. Unfortunately, the mortality rate is very high, with less than 1 in 10 surviving.

Early access to a defibrillator is vital. For every minute that passes, chances of survival drop by 10%.

Signing up to become a Defibrillator Champion for the Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath constituency, Roger Mullin MP said: “It was interesting to hear from the Oliver King Foundation about how many lives have been saved, including a caretaker at a school who had only received the defibrillator two weeks earlier.

“I am proud to become a lifesaving Defibrillator Champion for the Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath constituency. Saving lives is a legacy that we can all be proud of.”

The Oliver King Foundation was set up following the tragic death of 12-year-old Oliver King from a sudden cardiac arrest, which kills 12 young people every single week.

Oliver was winning a swimming race at school. He then suffered a sudden cardiac arrest in the water and tragically died hours later. There was no defibrillator available at the school, and an ambulance took 20 minutes to arrive. His chances of survival dramatically dropped for every minute without access to a defibrillator.

Mark King, father of 12-year-old Oliver, said: “Five years ago, when my son Oliver passed away from this hidden heart condition, we didn’t know that his legacy would reach this far.

"We are determined to save as many young lives as possible, so that no other family has to suffer a similar loss to that of ours.”

For more information please contact The Oliver King Foundation on 0151 728 3470 or email info@theoliverkingfoundation.co.uk