Mother wants 20 defibrillators for hometown after son dies of cardiac arrest

Mother installs 20 defibrillators in her hometown after her teenage son died of cardiac arrest I am requesting that

His 18-year-old Jamie Rees collapsed early on New Year's Day last year and the nearest kit was locked.

He was at his friend's house when he went into cardiac arrest. He sadly passed away in hospital five days later.

NHS Services were so oversubscribed that the nearest paramedics, stationed miles away, were unable to save Jamie in time. was not possible.

His friends were forced to perform CPR on him in a desperate attempt to save him. Because the school Jamie attended locked up the closest defibrillator kit available.

By the time paramedics came to Jamie's side, his brain was starved of oxygen and he died in hospital on January 5, 2022.

West Midlands Ambulance Service apologized to Jamie's family, stating that New Year's Day was very busy.

However, Jamie's relatives have now set up his OurJay, which is running a fundraiser to donate 20 of his defibrillators to Jamie's hometown of Rugby.

If the fundraising goes well, more money will be made available to Warwickshire.

Her mother Naomi Rees-Issitt, 43, said: She cannot pre-plan her cardiac arrest. A defibrillator locked to a building is pointless.

"There was a defibrillator nearby, but he was trapped at his high school. The ambulance was delayed and the defibrillator was locked, so his friends were was working hard on CPR.

' for several weeks from age 18. He was at his friend Nathan's house just celebrating his New Year. He saw fireworks nearby.

"He was standing in his garage dancing.

"Jamie wanted one of his friends. Turning around, he felt a little strange.He sat by the tree, crouched down, and realized he was not breathing. Josh started CPR on Jamie and Nathan's mother called 999. Josh also called 999 and the dispatcher spoke to him.

"Until last September, We had an ambulance on standby in Rugby.

"The nearest ambulance was in Coventry, 15 miles away, on the night Jamie died, so that's why it took so long.

``I don't blame the ambulance crew. A person's heart has a 70% chance of beating again.

"Jamie did not die of cardiac arrest. Lack of oxygen. He died of sudden arrhythmia death syndrome.

"Unfortunately, Jamie didn't stand a chance. Jamie won't be last. If anything, it's gotten worse."

Naomi and Jamie were forced to leave because the ambulance was late and there was no defibrillator nearby. family decided: Start a fundraiser to install a defibrillator kit.

But what started with just one defibrillator has now turned him into 20 kits, thanks to the local support his family received.

Naomi, mother of two and charity manager, added: He loved everyone and everyone loved him. He loved life, animals, computers and his family.

"It's called The OurJay Foundation and we're trying to launch it as a charitable foundation.

"Started funding to put defibrillators outside schools. We launched Jamie's JustGiving on January 26th:

"By the 27th we had raised £3,000. Jamie was much loved by his college students and friends."

"We realized we were over one defibrillator and we thought, 'Let's keep going.'

” business in rugby for raffle prizes. Holidays, Meals - 65 prizes have been handed out.

"We are still growing. We are currently hoping to have 20 [defibrillators] installed by January 5, 2023, our one year anniversary.

``Toyota donated £400 after a fundraiser. Also coming is the British Army Parachute Regiment, with her sister and her husband.

"We're all pretty exhausted. We're all overwhelmed. The support has been great.

184} "I can't thank the people enough, but I hope I can give something back to rugby.

Can be purchased from London Hearts for £1,650 each, but with a case normally £1,650, £1,237 All kits we provide include a bleeding kit.

All of our defibrillation was done by an electrician at Rugby's Top Marks who offered to do it for free.

"There is incredible support within the rugby business."

This is not the only way Jamie has given back to the community.

His family found out he was an organ donor, and his organs saved five of his lives.

Naomi added: "He has already saved five lives. Five of his organs are functioning normally, one of which was a baby girl.

"It was a little strange for us. He told us that he had always wanted to be an organ donor. He signed the organ donor register three times.

"Six weeks after I lost Jamie, I received an email saying that all five organs were working.

"The next night the girl was treated. All five organs matched within an hour.

"I know Jamie is there. He's meant to save lives."

West Midlands A spokesperson for the Ambulance Service previously told the Birmingham Mail: } "New Year's Day was the busiest the Trust has ever experienced, nearly a quarter as busy as the previous busiest New Year's Day.