Two-year-old from Oswaldtwistle gets own defibrillator to take to nursery

Reece Scott has already undergone three life-saving operations, the first at just two-days-old, to help him live as normal a life as possible.

And now the brave youngster, who was born with a leaking valve in his underdeveloped heart – a condition which just a few years ago would have proved fatal – will be starting nursery with his twin brother Regan.

Last year Reece was given a donor valve, but because his heart still leaks and is surrounded by scar tissue, it is vital he has a defibrillator with him at all times to combat a cardiac arrest.

Family and friends have started to fundraise for the machine, which is around the size of a child’s lunchbox, and to pay for staff at the Early Start nursery in Oswaldtwistle to have specialist training.

Mum Sarah Watson, a former dental nurse, and dad plasterer Stuart Scott said the kit was needed in case Reece, who will turn three next month, got into difficulties.

Sarah, a mum-of-five, said: “It will give us so much peace of mind to know trained people are with him, and they have the tools they need.

“Defibrillators have been used to save the lives of people who didn’t even know they had a heart condition, it is very unpredictable.

“In Reece’s case we know he has problems. We can’t predict and control everything, but we can do this. The nursery staff have been amazing and say they are happy to help us fundraise and to do the training required.

“We are also so grateful to the people helping us fundraise. We are a large family and the money just isn’t in the bank for something like this.”

Sarah, from Oswaldtwistle, said Reece, who was also recently diagnosed with epilepsy after suffering a fit, liked to play and run like other children but quickly became out of breath.

She said: “Both twins love to explore and are full of curiosity. We want Reece to have a normal life and be with his twin which means him going to nursery and then on to school.”

A sponsored cycle ride next month will start raising the £1,000 needed for Reece’s defibrillator.

Jayne Barprape, at Early Start, said: “We’ve said we would help out with any fundraising. Our staff have first aid training already so it would simply be another course. We want Reece and his family to feel all the precautions are in place.”

Sarah and Stuart are also backing a North West Ambulance Service, heart charity Pumping Marvellous and Asda campaign to equip as many Hyndburn schools as possible with defibrillators.

‘Back to School with a Defib’, which could be rolled out to other areas, is being launched in the Accrington Asda today with customers being given the chance to learn life support techniques from paramedics.

Nick Hartshorne Evans, founder of Pumping Marvellous, said a defibrillator and training can cost between £900 and £1200.

He said: “Over the past 12 months we have been working with the ambulance service and Lancashire Telegraph and so far, have installed over 20 defibrillators in schools across Lancashire.

“We would work with Reece’s family to offer any support we can. As a charity we want defibrillators where they are needed most.”

Cheryl Pickstock, from the North West Ambulance Service, said: “Defibrillators are simple to operate and only deliver a shock if the patient’s heart is in a specific rhythm. If it is delivered promptly, survival rates as high as 75 per cent can be achieved.”

Dr Tom Smith, the Lancashire Telegraph’s health expert, said the condition Reece was born with, a critical aortic stenosis, is very serious.

He said: “It is a narrowing of the valve and he will probably need operations throughout childhood to keep it open.

“His heart could go into sudden failure. Arrhythmic disturbance is a possibility and that is why he would need the defibrillator.

“When gets to be a teenager he would be able to have an operation to get an adult heart system which would mean he can lead a normal life.”

The family are now planning to set up a fundraising page on Facebook and are keen to get as much support as possible.