Without them “she wouldn’t have made it”: Norfolk mum thanks crews

“If the paramedics hadn't shocked Violet with the defibrillator she wouldn't have made it.”

Those were the words of a Norfolk mum who, three years ago, had to call upon EEAST after she discovered her daughter in cardiac arrest.

Jayne Biggs experienced every parent’s worst nightmare - hearing a cough from her daughter’s bedroom to then find seven-year-old Violet not breathing.

Thankfully, Violet’s parents acted quickly by performing CPR before the arrival of our life-saving ambulance team who were on scene within minutes of the 999 call - Lee Kinney, Ryan Nelson, Ken Peace and Michael Long,

Thankfully, after one shock from a defibrillator, they managed to restart Violet’s heart.

And last week (13th July), Lee, Ryan and Ken had the chance to be reunited with Violet, who was diagnosed with the rare Long QT syndrome and now has an implantable cardioverter defibrillator in her chest, under much happier circumstances.

Jayne, who has since set up ‘Heart 2 Heart Norfolk’ to install defibrillators in schools and public places, said it was “really emotional” meeting with the team.

She said: “I can't praise the hospital staff and paramedics enough. She had everything on her side that day.

“If the paramedics hadn't shocked Violet with the defibrillator she wouldn't have made it. It was really lovely to meet them and they were all thrilled to see her.”

Jayne has managed to secure funding for seven defibrillators in the last year, with the most recent being installed at the Post Office in Bradwell and one at the Pier Hotel in Gorleston.

Jayne added that she would continue to raise money for the life-saving devices and coordinate CPR and defibrillator training.

“I think we are really quite lucky in Norfolk. There has only been one school where they would not have a defibrillator put in. The majority of people have been really supportive and every high school in Gorleston now has one and every school in Bradwell.”

“Violet was so fit and active and she had never felt dizzy or faint until her cardiac arrest. I am going to keep going and install defibrillators in as many places as possible. It does not matter if they are ever used. However, they are there just in case.”

From all of us at EEAST, a huge well done and thank you to Lee, Ryan, Ken and Michelle!

If you’d like to get involved in our ‘Their Life, Your Hands’ campaign, to get people thinking where their nearest community public access defibrillator is located, please visit the campaign pages of our website. 

 Published 22nd July, 2016