A MUM campaigning to supply Gwent schools with defibrillators has spoken of her excitement after receiving a £12,000 grant from Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.

The funding will help Argus-backed campaign Jack's Appeal supply another 15 schools with the lifesaving devices - and is the largest single donation the campaign has ever received.

Jack's Appeal was founded in January 2014 by Oakdale family June Thomas and her husband Grant, in memory of their 15-year old son, Jack, who died suddenly from a suspected heart problem.

After raising more than £32,500 in its first year, the appeal has helped supply defibrillators to every secondary school in Gwent.

It is currently targeting primary schools.

Mrs Thomas described the grant as a "massive boost," but believes supplying all Gwent primary schools will bring new challenges.

"There are hundreds of primary schools in Gwent so it was realistic for us to target secondary schools first," she said.

"We have supplied three primary schools so far and as a family we will keep plodding along and doing fundraising. We will get there.

“It’s all for Jack and I just have to keep trying to keep it going.”

Alongside recognition by Wales’ First Minister Carwyn Jones in this year’s St David’s Awards, the Oakdale mum was also nominated for a Good Morning Britain award in the "Community Health Star" category.

Jack's Appeal volunteer, Phil Hill, was thrilled at the health board contribution and is currently campaigning for “Jack's Law,” making it a legal requirement for every public place to have a defibrillator.

“At the end of the day it’s the Thomas family story that makes people sit up and listen,” he said.

“The appeal is driving them forward and it is one of those examples where someone has had the most horrible thing happen to them and instead of going into shell they have completely turned it around.

“If you have lost someone, especially a young person, what better way to keep their memory alive for ever and that’s what Jack's Appeal was always about.”

The Aneurin Bevan Health Board also donated also donated £10,000 last year, which helped the Thomas family supply the last Gwent secondary schools with defibrillators.

A spokeswoman for the health board said: “Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is pleased to have been able to offer support to Jack’s Appeal.

“The appeal raises funds to provide lifesaving defibrillators in public places across Gwent and is proudly supported by the health board and our staff.”

The next Jack's Appeal defib donations will take place at Markham Primary School on Monday May 9, and Maesycwmmer Primary School, on Wednesday May 18.

For more information on the campaign, visit welshhearts.org/jacksappeal