Mum of a local schoolboy who died suddenly welcomes a new move to put all defibrillators on a public map

Kathleen Orr and her husband John this year launched the Show Some Heart appeal along with the Greenock Telegraph to put the life-saving devices in every school in Inverclyde.

The couple set up the drive in memory of their son Jayden, who tragically died a year ago while attending an ice skating practice.

The family have also lodged a petition at the Scottish Parliament, supported by MSP Stuart McMillan, to change the law and ensure that all new major buildings in Scotland are fitted with a defib as standard.

Kathleen has now welcomed the news that the British Heart Foundation and Microsoft will be teaming up with the NHS to create a map of every defibriallator in the country, as reported in yesterday's Tele.

She said: "This is something that I have called for and I raised it with Scottish Parliament officials when I met them.

"Defibrillators have to be registered with the Scottish Ambulance Service.

"Everyone should know where they are."

Inverclyde MSP Mr McMillan, who is supporting the campaign and the petition, believes the new map could help save more lives.

He said: “I welcome this development and initiative and I am pleased that Scotland will be included in the initial trial phase.

“It’s always hugely impressive when an organisation such as Microsoft gets involved in a public health matter and in this instance I anticipate positive results.

“The Inverclyde community is fully behind the local Jayden Orr campaign and I’m sure everyone involved will welcome this development.

“This proposal has the possibility to help save more lives which we can all welcome.

"I look forward to the delivery of a concerted public information campaign to raise more awareness of the importance of Public Access Defibrillators and their accessibility.”