A LEADING resuscitation expert devoted to saving lives is joining the Tele’s Show Some Heart campaign in memory of ten-year-old Jayden Orr.

Health care professional Patrick Higgins, from Port Glasgow, has trained medics across the UK for 10 years including Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital.

After saving the life of a family member in a Greenock restaurant he decided to move his mission out into the community as well.

He believes in having defibrillators in all public places and training people to use them.

Patrick was deeply moved by the campaign by Jayden’s parents, Kathleen and John, to put one in every local school to let their son’s name live on.

Patrick said: “I believe defibrillators should be in public places and people should know how to use them.

“You just never know when it could happen.

“We were at a family celebration in The Exchange when one of my relatives took a cardiac arrest.

“We managed to keep her alive until an ambulance turned up with a defibrillator.

“But every minute is crucial.

“A defibrillator could be the difference between someone staying alive or not.

“It was at that point I decided to set up my own training programme.”

Resuscitation officer Patrick, who works in surgical wards in hospitals, also goes into companies and public places all over the UK to deliver vital training.

When he heard about Jayden’s tragic death he decided to step in and help. His training company Northern Resus are now sponsoring the Jayden’s Rainbow charity and are running a training session in Port Glasgow next month.

Patrick said: “I think what Kathleen and John are trying to do deserves our support. I wanted to do what I could to help. John and I grew up together in Highholm Street.

“It is so important to get a defibrillator into schools in Inverclyde.”

The Tele is backing Kathleen and John’s defib drive and helping to ensure people are trained to use them.
The couple bravely launched their campaign after losing ice-skating star Jayden in August last year.

He collapsed and died suddenly while training at an Ayrshire ice-rink.

The family have opened up a charity shop at 1 Jamaica Street, Greenock to raise funds to pay for the machines.

The shop is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm.
If you would like to support the campaign to put a defibrillator in every local school you can pledge online.

To donate towards the £50,000 target for Show Some Heart: The Jayden Orr Campaign, visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/kerri-lynn-2

http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/news/16034534.Port_family___s_charity_ball_in_tribute_to_Jayden/