Senedd to discuss Jack’s Law report

Jack’s Appeal was launched by the Argus more than a year ago in memory of Oakdale 15-year-old Jack Thomas, who died suddenly of a previously undetected heart arrhythmia in February 2012.

His parents, June and Grant Thomas, have been campaigning relentlessly for defibrillators to be introduced into every secondary school in Gwent and the Rhymney Valley.

So far it has raised more than £31,000 since January last year with schools, companies, community groups, pubs and other organisations holding various fundraising events. It has also supplied 20 schools with their very own defibrillator.

But since its launch, Jack’s Appeal has inspired another campaign to get a legislation to make the potentially life-saving machines available in every public place in Wales, called Jack’s Law.

Newport nurse Phil Hill, who is leading the petition, spoke alongside Mrs Thomas at the Senedd in Cardiff last year to discuss the probability of introducing Jack’s Law.

Shortly after the third anniversary of Jack’s death earlier this month, Mr Hill said the petitions committee at the Senedd are to receive their long-awaited ‘Jack’s Law’ report on mandatory public access defibrillator legislation for Wales.

Mr Hill said it was with the view of then holding a discussion in the Senedd’s main debating chamber after March 10.

He now wants constituents across Gwent, and across the country, to ensure their local Assembly Members get behind the campaign.

l If you would like to help fundraise for Jack’s Appeal, or for more information about Jack’s Law, get involved on the new website, called Remembering Jack, at rememberingjack.co.uk

Otherwise, people can donate to Jack’s Appeal by sending cheques payable to Welsh Hearts, to Temple Court, 13a Cathedral Road, Cardiff, CF11 9HA. Put reference “Jack Thomas defibs appeal” on the back of the envelope.