Sunnyside Primary raising money for public access defibrillator in Craigend, Glasgow

Sunnyside Primary has joined with FARE Scotland to raise funds for the life-saving equipment to be placed at shops in Craigend.

Family liaison officer Pauline McKenna and challenge leader of learning Katie Ewen are leading a team of pupils to raise money for the defibrillator which is inspired by a former student. 

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P3 pupil Christine Lin and P1 pupil Adam Bouakkaz with Sky House team

Katie said: "We had an ex-pupil who had a heart condition who has since gone on to high school but he still lives in this area.

"Ever since he came to our school we were quite closely involved with the family and we always wanted to try and have one set up in the area for that reason."

One of Sunnyside's four houses, Sky House, is in charge of fundraising and pupils from primary one to seven have been able to get involved in the project. 

P3 pupil Christine Lin and P1 pupil Adam Bouakkaz in the foreground

Pauline said: "They're absolutely loving being part of that, it's something that means a lot to them." 

Pauline, who works for FARE Scotland, has also been working with local businesses to help raise money and says the support has been great

She said: "They are really excited about it and it’s something that they’re really proud to be part of as well so they’ve offered their support for donations and they’ve put posters inside the shops.

"I think because it is a lifesaving item for us to have in the area that everyone can use the support that we’ve had has been incredible."

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P3 pupil Christine Lin and P1 pupil Adam Bouakkaz

So far, more than £800 has been raised towards their £1500 target, which they hope to reach by the end of February. 

While St John Scotland Community Defibrillator Scheme asks fundraisers to raise £1000 for the life-saving equipment, Sunnyside Primary is aiming for an extra £500 so there is money to go towards the machine's maintenance, allowing it to save lives for years to come. 

If they beat their target, they plan to buy a second machine for Ruchazie as some pupils also live in that area.

Fundraising poster

The campaign has also gained the support of local councillor Mandy Morgan. 

Mandy said: "I was invited to meet the children and was very impressed with their knowledge on cardiac arrest, they knew how important this equipment is to save peoples lives and even more impressed that the idea for this project actually came from the children.

"It is so heartwarming that our young people care and want to make life-saving equipment easily available in their local community."

FARE Scotland (Family Action in Rogerfield and Easterhouse), who are working with the school to raise money, is a voluntary organisation working within disadvantaged communities throughout central Scotland and aims to encourage people to become more involved with their communities.  

Sunnyside Primary, which describes itself as a "conservation school", was crowned nature champions of the decade after their banning of plastic straws and glitter impressed judges at RSPB Nature of Scotland Awards.

You can view or donate to the fundraiser HERE.