Family donate lifesaving equipment to primary school in memory of their son

After their son Darren Clark sadly died in 2011 from Sudden Arythmic Death Syndrome at the age of 27, Steve and Debbie Clark have donated a defribrilator to Parish Church Primary School in Gainsborough.
A defibrillator has been donated to Parish Church School in Gainsborough by the Sudden Adult Death Trust.A defibrillator has been donated to Parish Church School in Gainsborough by the Sudden Adult Death Trust.
A defibrillator has been donated to Parish Church School in Gainsborough by the Sudden Adult Death Trust.

The family was keen to donate to Parish Church Primary School where Darren’s daughter, Ruby, is a pupil, as they know how important the equipment is to saving life if someone suffers a cardiac arrest.

Debbie said: “Darren was a very active young man with a passion for adrenaline sports and fast cars, he was outgoing and loving with a bright future ahead of him.

“We miss Darren everyday. Our lives have been turned upside down and we are still struggling to make sense as to why his life was suddenly cut short. We have placed defibrillators in four schools now and hopefully we can do the same for many more.

“Let’s hope these defibrillators are never used. We are putting them in place along with the necessary training to safeguard the children and staff.

“Darren didn’t have the opportunity to see his beautiful daughter Ruby grow up so if the schools defibrillator is ever needed and used hopefully the outcome for that family will be quite different.”

Supporting the cardiac charity SADS UK Big shock Campaign Steve, Debbie and their daughter Vicki Standley are fundraising in Darren’s memory to put defibrillators into all schools in their area.

Debbie said: “Raising funds through SADS UK in Darren’s memory has helped us focus on doing something to help stop other families from going through what we are going through.

“Darren doted on his beautiful daughter Ruby and his nephews and he played a big part in our family and in the lives of his many friends.”

The defibrillator is lifesaving equipment that works to restore the heart rhythm if a person goes into cardiac arrest and the earlier a defibrillator is used the better the chance is of survival.

The defibrillator placed at the school is easy to use by the layperson, providing voice prompts to the rescuer.

Debbie added: “We have raised funds for other charities to help screen youngsters for undetected heart conditions that are causes of SADS and now we are presently in contact with SADS UK, Anne Jolly, and all their staff to whom we are especially greatful for all their continuous support helping us to place defibrillators in schools.”

To make a donation to SADS UK by call 01277811215 or email [email protected] quoting Darren Clark Memorial Fund or visit www.justgiving.com/DarrenClark-Dazz.