ANOTHER Gwent school has been given a defibrillator as part of an Argus-supported campaign after a grandmother raised money to buy one by organising a series of community events.

Through Jack’s Appeal, St Joseph’s RC School, on Pencarn Way, now has its own defibrillator after Joan Davies raised £800 through bingo nights she organised at the Maesglas Community Centre on Bideford Road.

Jack’s Appeal was launched by the Argus and Jack Thomas’ family in memory of the 15-year-old, who died suddenly from an undiagnosed heart condition in 2012.

And the device was handed over by Mrs Davies to the school’s business manager, Mark Rowland, at the community centre.

Mr Rowland said: “We have a community of 1,500 pupils and 150 staff that ranges from 11 to 60 years old. And this piece of equipment is gratefully received and will prove invaluable if it saves even one life.”

He added that he hoped there would be training for staff and pupils on how to use it from September when the new school year begins.

The handover was also attended by Jack’s mum, June Thomas, and Sharon Owen from the Welsh Hearts charity which is supplying the defibrillators.

It is one in a series of fundraisers that Mrs Davies, 80, has completed.

Her service at the community centre, which dates back more than three decades and involves running the hub, has been marked by a £2,500 IT suite being named after her.

And Mrs Thomas will be fundraising at Asda Brynmawr, at the Lakeside Retail Park in Nantyglo, until 12pm on Saturday for Jack’s Appeal.

She will then travel to Guildford for the London Open tae kwon do championships.

All profits made at the event, which is being held in Jack’s memory, will be donated to the charity and CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) in Jack’s memory. He represented Wales at the sport.