THREE schools in Thurrock now have potentially lifesaving defibrillators thanks to the efforts of a local charity and the borough community.

The charity Katie's Heart Appeal has delivered three automated external defibrillator machines to Abotts Hall Rimary and Corringham Primary and to Chadwell Primary.

They have been funded by the collections taken at the Christmas lights display on the Stanford and Maple Park estates in Stanford-le-Hope.

Kay Cowcher, a resident of Stanford Park, said: "Originally, we were trying to raise £1,500 to purchase a machine for our own estate.

"Before we knew it, it snowballed, we just all keep saying how bonkers this is! I think it's largely down to the local residents and the media coverage we received. We had people come from all over to our estate covered in Christmas lights."

Husband and wife team, and residents of the estate, Wendy and Mark Worton said: "Really, it was fantastic, it really brought the community together. We had a team of around 30 volunteers, shaking their buckets and helping direct cars. It reminded us all what Christmas is all about.

"We were really happy to join with Katie's Heart Appeal and directing this money towards buying a defib machine for every Thurrock school without one seems a very good cause and we're so happy to be apart of it."

Mark added: "I reckon more the 10,000 people came by, we had people come all the way from Brighton and Cambridge to see what was going on."

The charity, which raises funds and awareness for The Brompton Hospital and the Arrhythmia Alliance as well as orgabising defrillators in the community, has contacted every school in the borough and is offering to provide defibrillators wherev they are needed.

Organiser Charlotte Davies says they would welcome support from any fundraising organisations in the borough that have fundrasiing events planned, saying: "Anyone who is taking part in any events this year and would like to raise money for a good cause in the process, please consider Katie's Heart Appeal.

"Your fundraising/donations will be used to buy life saving defibrillators for the community."

Karina Garrick, Deputy Headteacher of Corringham Primary, said: "We are all so thrilled and reassured to have received this important piece of first aid equipment.

"We all hope it's the biggest waste of money which gets dusty and never used, but if a time comes where it is needed, I feel very comfortable knowing we have the equipment here on site which could potentially save a life."

Charlotte was out and about today (Sunday, 10 January) helping get a defibrillator in Grays back into action. The unit on the corner of Orsett Road and Milton Road had been damaged but is now operational.

A defibrillator is a device that gives a high energy electric shock to the heart of someone who is in cardiac arrest.

This high energy shock is called defibrillation, and it's an essential part in trying to save the life of someone who's in cardiac arrest. A defibrillator may also be referred to as a defib, an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) or a PAD (Public Access Defibrillator).

Katie's Heart Appeal has been set up and is managed by Katie's M Charlotte.

Here is Katie's story.

Katie has a complex heart condition called Supra Ventricular Tachycardia, PoTS and vasovagal syncope. Katie also has rare condition called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome which affects all her connective tissue causing problems with her joints, her skin and her internal organs.

She was born with these conditions and they are genetic.

Charlotte says: "We have been fundraising for the Brompton Fountain for 10 years - doing various events as a way of saying a thank you to the Brompton Hospital for the amazing work they do and the wonderful way Katie has been cared for.

"The Brompton Fountain is a charity that supports children with life threatening heart and lung conditions and their families who are under the care of Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust.

"Since 2013 we have been fundraising for Automated External Defibrillators (AED) in our local community, and we have helped numerous other organisations fundraise for their own AED's working alongside the Arrhythmia Alliance, London Hearts and the British Heart Foundation's Circuit."