Defibrillator for Shropshire school hit by tragedy

The defibrillator machine at Thomas Adams School in Wem was paid for with money raised at a charity football match in memory of Gareth Utting.

Mr Utting, an English teacher at the school in Lowe Hill Road, died suddenly from a suspected heart attack on April 2, aged 37.

In response to the tragedy, 11 members of staff have now been trained in how to use the defibrillator.

Headteacher Liz Dakin said: "It is very important to react to the tragic news we had earlier this year. The defibrillator is a precaution and hopefully it will never have to be used but it is a huge benefit to have it here and have staff trained in how to use it.

"This means it is also available to the community sports activities which take place here."

The fundraising football match, which took place at Wem Town Football Club in May, was between staff and sixth form students. It was watched by more than 200 people and raised over £900 for the defibrillator machine.

Mrs Dakin said: "The football match was a great tribute to Mr Utting and a lovely way to remember him.

"We continue to remember him in many ways but we also felt it was appropriate to take safety measures as well."

Mr Utting, of Cherry Drive, Ellesmere, was taken to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital after he was taken ill but died a short time later.

His funeral took place on April 14 at St Mary's Church, Ellesmere, and was attended by hundreds of mourners.

He had taught at Thomas Adams for 10 years.

Following his death, his wife Alison, who also worked at the school, said he was a wonderful husband and father to their three children, Sam, Ioan and Catrin.

She wrote an open letter to the Education Secretary at the time, Michael Gove, which was shared more than 90,000 times on the internet.

Mrs Utting, who believes the stress of his job contributed to her husband's death, posted her letter to Mr Gove on Facebook – saying her husband had been "killed by the system".

Mr Utting was a Beaver Scout leader in the village of St Martins and martial arts instructor.

He was also an active member of Penycae Neighbourhood Church of the Nazarene, based in the village between Chirk and Wrexham.

Installing life-saving equipment such as a defibrillator in schools across the county is a "no-brainer" according to Councillor Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for children's services.

Councillor Hartley, who also represents Ellesmere on Shropshire Council, said: "I obviously welcome anything that can be done to prevent unfortunate deaths – it is a no-brainer.

"I know a lot of communities have been having them installed – we have had two here in Ellesmere. But if schools want to have them as well then it can only be a good thing. Obviously you have to be careful that you have qualified people to be able to use the equipment properly."

People across Shropshire and Mid Wales have been purchasing and installing defibrillator machines after being inspired by the remarkable recovery of former Bolton Wanderers footballer, Fabrice Muamba, who collapsed in a game in 2012. Bolton's club doctor later confirmed that Muamba had received numerous defibrillator shocks, both on the pitch and in the ambulance, but his heart had stopped for 78 minutes.

After seeing him make good progress, people in Shropshire and Mid Wales said it highlighted the importance of the equipment. Defibrillators have been set up in places such as Clun Valley, Myddle, Loppington, Clive, Baschurch and Bomere Heath. And today an official opening of Whitchurch Civic Centre's new defibrillator was taking place as part of a project funded by members of the town's Rotary club.

Phil Keyse, who helped get the equipment installed in Myddle about two years ago, said: "I think it is absolutely a good idea to have them in schools. Schools are usually well located in a central place with good access and have a ready pool of volunteers.

"The machines are very easy to use and training includes basic life support skills, which should be part of the school's curriculum anyway. Since we went live about two years ago in Myddle we have had about six call-outs. Our volunteers have helped save the life of at least one out of the six. Our volunteers have been present to support paramedics and ambulance crews."