Sister's death inspired defibrillator fundraiser

A nursery manager, whose teenage sister died of a cardiac arrest, has fundraised for new life-saving equipment in her memory.

Sasha Bartin died aged 13 after collapsing on the hockey pitch at school in Yeovil in 2008.

Her sister Naomi, who now runs Little Discoveries on Stiby Road, spearheaded the campaign to get a defibrillator installed.

"At the time the school did not have any defibs on site, and unfortunately by the time the ambulance arrived, it was too late for my sister," she said.

Ms Bartin was 16 when Sasha died and has always believed that her sister could still have been alive if there had been a defibrillator available.

"She was born premature and there were issues with her heart from birth, but nothing that led us to believe that this was going to happen at school," she told BBC Somerset.

"She was a sporty little girl, full of energy, loved football and was always active.

"The school did not have procedures and the best equipment in place to be able to deal with this situation.

"I can't emphasise the huge difference a defib can make and it's always been big to me, making sure as a nursery manager that none of my staff or myself are in a situation where we couldn't make a difference, should we need to."

Ms Bartin said the fundraising campaign had shown the impact Sasha's death had on the community, and her family had been "really helped" by people coming together to celebrate her sister's life.

"This is such a massive achievement and a personal one for me.

"This defib is there for the community that lined the streets for my family and my sister during her funeral procession, and to give back to those teachers who were possibly in an uncomfortable situation when [her death] happened," she added.

Ms Bartin said she would continue fundraising for a defibrillator to be installed at other Little Discoveries branches in Frome and Nunney, and eventually to make sure every nursery in Somerset has one.

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