On Friday I had the pleasure once again of supporting the Oliver King Foundation’s annual golf day at Lee Park Golf Club. It’s always a great event that raises money to provide defibrillators to schools, community groups and public venues across Liverpool and the UK, and this year aimed to raise over £6000.

The Foundation was set up in January 2012 following the tragic death of 12-year-old Oliver King. Oliver died from Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome, a hidden heart condition which kills 12 young people every week. Oliver attended King David High School in Liverpool and suffered a cardiac arrest whilst taking part in a swimming race.

Since Oliver’s Dad Mark started the foundation, personally delivering defibrillators right across the UK, the units have been used to save 75 lives, the youngest a child of four. Mark’s tireless campaigning, which I’ve supported since day one, has seen him persuade the government to put a defibrillator in every school to give any child who suffers a sudden cardiac event a fighting chance at survival. The OK Foundation not only supply defib units but also deliver the necessary training to use each defib properly.

I’m proud to support the OK Foundation and proud of the work Mark has done that has become a fitting legacy for Oliver and his memory.