A MUM who campaigned for every Gwent secondary school to be fitted with a heart defibrillator says they are now targeting primary schools in “chapter two” of their appeal.

The Argus-backed campaign Jack’s Appeal raised more than £32,500 in over a year and was founded in memory of Oakdale teenager Jack Thomas who died suddenly from a suspected heart problem.

In January last year, the South Wales Argus teamed up with June and Grant Thomas to launch the campaign to get the defibrillators, which cost around £1,000 each, into every secondary and special school in Gwent and the Rhymney Valley.

With the last three secondary schools in the Gwent receiving defibrillators —Chepstow School, Caldicot Comprehensive School and Mounton House — Mrs Thomas is eager to start the “next step.”

She said: “Everybody was on board from the local community and schools donating money to Jack’s Appeal and when the primary schools get on board we will do them too.

“I feel proud of the achievement and it is amazing that it has all be done in Jack’s name and memory.”

Jack was 15 years old when he died suddenly at his girlfriend’s house in Newbridge in February 2012. His parents are yet to find out what caused his death.

Alongside targeting secondary schools, Mrs Thomas has approached three Gwent primary schools for the next stage of her campaign.

The first primary school to have a defibrillator donated was Waunfawr Primary School, Crosskeys with the second presentation being Rhiw Syr Dafydd Primary School in Oakdale, Jack’s old primary school.

Head teacher at Waunfawr Jo Cueto said: “Whilst we hope we never have a situation when the defibrillator will be needed it is reassuring for pupils, parents, staff, governors and visitors to our school to have it here.”

A defibrillators will also be donated to Tyn-Y-Wern primary school, Trethomas.

A spokesman for Caerphilly County Borough Council said: “We would like to commend June and everyone involved in Jack’s Appeal for the impressive amount of fundraising achieved to date.

“Defibrillators have become a welcome addition in many local schools and other public venues and the council is investing in new defibrillators in order to place them in as many public schools and buildings as possible so we can complement the excellent work of Jack’s Appeal.”

Mrs Thomas, along with family and friends, has worked tirelessly to organise fundraisers, previously securing £10,000 from the Aneurin Heath Board and working with official charity Welsh Hearts to supply deliver defibrillators to schools.

Out of 16 secondary schools in Caerphilly county borough and the Rhymney Valley, 12 were funded through Jack’s Appeal.

June added: “It’s just as important that Jack’s law goes through government and that every public place across Wales has access to a defibrillator.

“This is not the end for Jack’s Appeal, in fact it is very much the beginning.”

If you would like to donate, or want to know more about Jack’s Law, visit welshhearts.org/jacksappeal or rememberingjack.co.uk