Both of Sonia Dykes' children have had severe heart problems, and she has made clear that she wants as many families as possible to be protected from trauma.
Ms Dykes said:
“I know Swindon College already has two so that means I only have to raise the money for about 79 schools. I know it’s a big challenge but it is so important to make sure every school is fitted with one.”
Defibrillators cost between £2,000 and £3,000. A charity has already decided to donate one defibrillator to the campaign, but the fundraising target is somewhere in the region of £160,000. Ms Dykes has expressed the hope that individual schools will host a variety of charitable activities. Poster printing in Swindon may well be used to draw attention to things like fancy dress events.
Ms Dykes, a resident of Penhill, is so committed to the cause in part because both her children have had to be fitted with personal defibrillators. In addition, Tyrone and Tiarna have to undergo frequent medical checkups.
Tyrone had a cardiac stoppage when he was only a year old, while Tiarna experienced a cardiac arrest when she was just two. Tiarna was not badly injured because she was resuscitated swiftly, but Tyrone was left with severe brain damage after he had serious breathing problems. Neither child showed any warning sign that their health was under threat prior to their sudden attacks.