A FORMER teaching assistant returned to Folly Hill Infant School to mark the launch of a new defibrillator.

Headteacher Alison Stone and the Folly Hill student council welcomed back Brenda Hough and son, Kristian – a former pupil – to celebrate the arrival.

In 2016, Brenda saw first-hand how the equipment could save a life, after son Kristian suffered a sudden cardiac arrest.

The family were on holiday on the Isle of Skye, and paramedics used a defibrillator to re-start Kristian’s heart, before he was transferred by air ambulance to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, where it was discovered he had a collapsed lung and pneumonia.

Kristian regained consciousness after several days in hospital, and was transferred to the Royal Surrey Hospital in Guildford, where he was fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

Four years on, Kristian has made an “excellent recovery”, having passed his driving test, taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award’s scheme and returning to college at Merrist Wood to study a degree in animal behaviour and welfare.

Speaking following the defibrillator’s installation, Brenda said: “I feel it is so important to make defibrillators accessible within the community.

“Every minute is vital to the survival and recovery of individuals who experience cardiac arrest and heart attacks.

“We have been so very fortunate with Kristian’s recovery, but many families are not so lucky.”

As well as welcoming the new defibrillator, the infant school has worked alongside Heartstart Farnham Lions, integrating life-saving skills into the school’s curriculum.

Speaking of the school’s choice to include this, Brenda said it was a “great choice” as it is an “important life skill for everyone”.

The new defibrillator was installed thanks to the efforts of regulars at The Alfred Free House, raising funds through a quiz and sponsored events.

For more information, see www.astondefibs.org.uk