One family’s typical Saturday night took a terrifying turn when a mother, Jayne Biggs from Norfolk, heard an unusual sound from her daughter’s bedroom. Reacting on instinct, she rushed upstairs to find her seven-year-old daughter, Violet, in distress, not breathing.

Jayne recounted the harrowing moment when she discovered Violet in cardiac arrest, leading her and her husband to perform CPR while waiting for emergency services. Paramedics arrived promptly, providing crucial medical intervention that saved Violet’s life after a brief period of uncertainty about potential brain damage.

Violet, a previously healthy and active child, spent a month in the hospital and was diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome, a rare heart condition that can trigger sudden cardiac arrest. To manage the condition, she received an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) for continuous heart monitoring and automatic shocks if needed.

Reflecting on the incident, Jayne emphasized the pivotal role of timely CPR in Violet’s survival, highlighting the importance of first aid training even for non-medical individuals. Motivated by their experience, Jayne and her husband founded the charity Heart 2 Heart Norfolk to install accessible defibrillators nationwide and provide CPR training to the community.

Through her charity work, Jayne aims to raise awareness about the importance of defibrillators in saving lives, urging people to support the cause through online fundraising platforms like easyfundraising. By partnering with retailers, supporters can contribute effortlessly to Heart 2 Heart Norfolk without incurring extra costs, ensuring that all funds raised benefit the community.

Jayne’s dedication to increasing access to life-saving equipment and education underscores the critical need for public awareness and preparedness in emergencies like sudden cardiac arrest. Through her efforts, she continues to make a significant impact in enhancing community safety and resilience.