A Scotswood school girl with a rare heart condition and her classmate have raised thousands of pounds to buy a life-saving defibrillator for another family.
Penelope 'Nelly' Jobling was diagnosed with a rare genetic heart condition - catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) - that can cause her to collapse and suffer from seizures when her adrenaline levels spike.
It means activities such as swimming, going on a trampoline and visiting a soft play centre can put her life at risk.
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Penelope, eight, has suffered two cardiac arrests and needs constant access to a defibrillator and carries a portable one wherever she goes.
Penelope has works closely with the North East Hearts with Goals which works to put defibrillators in public places such as schools, colleges and sports clubs. Now, her classmates at St Bede's Catholic Primary School, in Denton Burn, have raised £2,600 that will be used to purchase a portable defibrillator for another family whose child needs one.
On Friday, the Penelope, her mum, Donna Molloy, and headteacher Leigh-Anne, along with pupils presented the cheque to the charity.
Donna said: "The reason the school decided to raise money was for a defibrillator.
"We can't live with out this defibrillator and it was donated by the fabulous North East Hearst with Goals through their new programme Heart Save Homes with their programme we are going to help provide defibrillators for families like ourselves and like Penelope.
"We will also be providing support networks, groups and counselling so it is not just going to be physically donating a defibrillator it will be to support the family afterwards.
"We couldn't live without this. Nelly has suffered two cardiac arrests so one of these machines is of the upmost importance for us to be able to live a safe life.
"Having one of these machines means Nelly's chance of survival goes from just two per cent to 80 per cent.
"Before we had a defibrillator I was scared to leave the house, scared to go anywhere and do anything with Penelope for a child her age.
"Now there is nothing stopping us going anywhere. We don't live a normal life compared to other children but this helps it be as normal as possible."
Donna added: "The fact we get to be able to raise this much money to help so many other families who need defibrillators like ourselves is just incredible, so thank you very much."
Headteacher Leigh-Anne said: "During the week of February 6 to 10, children throughout school could donate money to the charity through small sales of heart badges and wrist bands and could also take part in the sponsored event.
"The course involved children walking one mile for the older children or walking 1/2 a mile and this was organised over the course of the week so that the children completed a few laps in small bursts.
"I am so proud of our children and families, they are so kind and generous to the needs of others and because Penelope is part of our school family they really demonstrated what an amazing strong school family we have here at St Bede’s.
"We have been informed the money will be used to purchase a portable defibrillator to give to another family whose child needs one.
"The defibrillator will have our school badge displayed on it and it is a wonderful reminder that the children of St Bede’s have yet again put their ‘faith in action’."
Christine Stephenson, who founded the charity with her sister-in-law Kelly Best, after her brother passed away praised the fundraising by the school.
She said: "We have been working with families whose children at risk of having a cardiac arrest. These people leave hospital with nothing else but their next appointment knowing there is a chance their child might not attend.
"They sleep in the same room as them as they worry about their children, they don't want them to go out and play, they keep an eye on them all the time.
"This money will make a massive difference. We don't know who yet, but the defibrillator will go to a family in the North East and make a massive difference."
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