A LIFE-saving defibrillator has been installed outside a Rugby nursery thanks to a fundraising appeal in memory of a teen who spent his childhood there.
Jamie ‘Jay’ Rees passed away on January 5 at the age of 18, after suffering a cardiac arrest on New Year’s Day.
There was no public defibrillator nearby and he was brought back by CPR, but his brain had been starved of oxygen and he never woke up.
His family have since raised over £23,000 to fund the purchase and installation of Publicly Accessible Defibrillators (PADs) across Rugby.
Busy Bees nursery donated the publicly-accessible equipment to support Jamie’s parents’ campaign to ensure at least 20 defibrillators are installed in the area by the end of the year.
The Bilton nursery unveiled the equipment and a plaque in Jamie’s name. Children at the nursery also drew pictures for the family of Jamie’s favourite sports teams.
Jamie’s parents Naomi and Gavin said: “Jamie had some of his happiest memories at Busy Bees and it has always remained close to our hearts.
“We are so thankful to Busy Bees and their donation, which brings us one step closer to reaching our goal. The nursery is within reaching distance of many schools and shopping areas – and the defibrillator could go on to save many lives, so no family has to go through what we went through.”
Deena Billings, Quality Director at Busy Bees, said: “I was the manager at this nursery 16 years ago, and we cared for Jamie. He was a caring, funny, and loving little boy who would still be with us today if there had been a defibrillator close by.
“It was an honour to be able to support Jamie’s family with this donation.”
Visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ourjay donate to the fund-raising campaign.
