LIFE-SAVING defibrillators have been installed at all of East Ayrshire's secondary schools - thanks in large part to the generosity of a local family.

The family of Laura Henderson stepped in to raise funds to have the vital equipment installed after Laura died following a sudden cardiac arrest in 2021.

And with the help of the St John Scotland charitable organisation, defibrillators have now been installed at all secondary schools across East Ayrshire - including Robert Burns Academy in Cumnock and Doon Avademy in Dalmellington.

Laura, originally from Stewarton, was just 42 years old when she suffered a sudden cardiac arrest after a park run.

People around her tried their best to help, but Laura never regained consciousness and passed away peacefully a few days later.

The Henderson family, Laura’s friends and her colleagues from Tennent’s Brewery in Glasgow, began raising funds for a network public access defibrillators to create a lasting legacy in her name. 

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St John Scotland has supported the family to install the defibrillators throughout East Ayrshire, including The Centre in Stewarton, the Robert Burns World Federation headquarters and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Kilmarnock.

They have also been working with East Ayrshire Council to ensure that defibrillators installed in educational facilities are located on the outside of buildings - and are therefore available for 24/7 use by the public.

Councillor Neal Ingram, East Ayrshire Council’s spokesperson for community safety, roads and transportation and community cohesion, said: “Losing Laura was a terrible tragedy that is still felt keenly by her family, her friends and colleagues.

"They have taken the terrible pain of her loss and created a lasting legacy in Laura’s name through the installation of public access defibrillators and now the installation of defibrillators in all of our secondary schools.  

“I was honoured to meet Laura’s parents Nora and James Henderson, her brother Daren and her niece Leah, and to let them know how much I admire their strength and their drive, working so hard to help other local families.

“Thanks also go to colleagues from facilities and property management, Health and Safety and our contractors FES FM and Mitie PFI who installed the units free of charge.”

Marcie Noble of Tennent Caledonian Breweries UK Ltd (C&C Group) said: “Laura has left behind an extraordinary legacy. It brings me immense joy to be present in this moment and see the plaque dedicated to Laura beside the defibrillators.”

Jess Duncan, the chair of St John Scotland Ayrshire and Arran, added: ''St John Scotland Ayrshire and Arran was delighted to work with East Ayrshire Council on this initiative.

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"Thanks go to Linda McAulay-Griffiths, chief education officer and head of education, who, when approached, was hugely supportive of the proposal to make all existing defibrillators within secondary schools available for public access. 

“Around 70 people have a cardiac arrest each week in Scotland, and sadly, only one in ten survive. 

"Performing CPR and using a defibrillator within the first few minutes of collapse can greatly increase the chances of survival.

"Access to a defibrillator can make all the difference and could save a life. 

"It is a real pleasure working with this very special family and with Marcie Noble and her colleagues from Tennent's, whose fund-raising efforts are quite remarkable.''