Father and son will do duathlon challenge at the New Wilderness on Saturday to help raise funds for defibrillator for local school

Eton Manor coach Richard Stock is fundraising with his seven-year-old son Thomas for a defibrillator for Theydon Bois Primary School.

This Saturday at the New Wilderness, the pair will go through a duathlon challenge together at 9.30am consisting of a 5km bike ride, 2.5km run and another 5km bike ride.

Stock along with Danny Hyde, who works for the Emergency Services and is a founder of Emergency First Aid Ltd, are looking to raise £850 for a defibrillator.

Hyde will then offer free training to Theydon Bois staff members on how to use a defibrillator.

The Manor coach said: “I’m shocked at how few schools have them and in this day and age, £850 is nothing. The link between cardiac issues and the young and sport has never been more prevalent.

“It just makes sense for me to do this. Again this isn’t about my son, it is about encouraging others to do it for their school.”

Sadly 270 children die in the UK per year after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest at school and if a defibrillator is used and effective CPR is performed within three to five minutes, the survival chances increase from six per cent to 74.

Several current or former Manor team-mates have supported the fundraising project, which is close to reaching its target.

“I hope and pray the defibrillator never sees the light of day, however the school does so much for our children and families, the least we can do as parents is supply them with this life saving piece of equipment and training from a professional,” said Stock.

“We are also relying on staff, students and parents to help however they can. Please share and support this project. Any donations or fund raising ideas would be greatly appreciated.”

For more visit - https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Theydonprimary .