Students are celebrating their lifesaving efforts after raising money to have a new defibrillator installed at their school.

Pupils at Oldbury’s Bristnall Hall Academy raised nearly £500 by packing bags at Asda, as well as organising cakes sales and collections around the school.

Due to the young people’s efforts, the school was able to install the new piece of lifesaving equipment for use by the whole community. Senior prefect Sharni, who was involved in the project, said:

“I'm really proud we managed to raise the money to have the defibrillator. We choose a project to raise money for each year and wanted to do something that would benefit the local community.”

The money raised for the defibrillator was from the pupil’s efforts during the last school year. This year students will be donating towards Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust’s new sensory room. Vince Green, principal, said:

“We are extremely proud of the fact that the young people of Bristnall Hall not only chose this as their cause but worked together to raise all of the funds required.

“Their hard work, effort and commitment to this worthy cause speak volumes about them as exemplary citizens. As principal, I am overwhelmed at what our students have achieved and provided for our community.”

The defibrillator was unveiled by the Mayor of Sandwell, Cllr Ahmadul Haque, local ward member Cllr Carol Goult and Cllr Simon Hackett, cabinet member for children’s services.

Cllr Hackett added: “It's great that the idea for the defibrillator came from the young people. They are clearly very mindful about the local community and have worked very hard to raise the money.”