Nursery Staff Raise Funds for Life-Saving Kit

Staff at a South Tyneside nursery have gone the extra mile to provide some reassurance for a family with a little boy who has breathing problems.

Two-year-old Emerald Prezioso Emmanuel Dellorusso, of South Shields has a heart murmur and his mother has had to resuscitate him on a number of occasions.

When he joined the Council-run Stanleys at Marine Park, the nursery had no defibrillator but staff were keen to do all they could to keep the little boy safe and well.

The team called in the Red Sky Foundation, which seeks to improve the lives of people needing cardiac care, to see how best they could support the family. The founder of Red Sky came to the nursery, provided training on the use of a defibrillator and first aid and gave some ideas for fund-raising.

Staff at the nursery set about fund-raising for a defibrillator, organising a family fun day while the local community also played a key role in raising funds for the life-saving equipment.

Emerald's mam, Alexandra Maria Dellorusso, said: "'I am so pleased with the support from all of the team at Stanley's at Marine Park Children's Centre, with particular thanks to Laura, Emerald's key worker who always keeps a close eye on his condition.

'I would also like to thank our local community for their support in helping to fundraise towards a defibrillator and to the nursery for putting together the family fun day and for their emotional support."

The defibrillator is now in place at the nursery, which demonstrates the Council's ambition to keep people well and healthy throughout their lives.

Councillor Adam Ellison, Lead Member for Children, Young People and Families, said: "It is fantastic to see our committed staff going above and beyond for this little boy and his family.

"We want to give all our children and young people the support they need to enjoy and succeed in life. Having this life-saving equipment at the nursery will provide valuable reassurance for Emerald's family."