Simon Kirby, Member of Parliament for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven visited The Oliver King Foundation at their launch event in Westminster today as part of European Restart a Heart Day.

The Oliver King Foundation 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. Every single year in the UK, 30,000 people suffer a sudden cardiac arrest. Sadly, just less than 1-in-10 survive. 

In 2012 footballer Fabrice Muamba was shocked 16 times by a lifesaving defibrillator in front of the nation.

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 Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven, Simon said:

“I am proud to become a lifesaving Defibrillator Champion for Brighton Kemptown & Peacehaven.  It is vital that we take action to prevent any loss of life where one can be saved.”