A HUSBAND and wife have donated a defibrillator to a school following the death of their son.

Barrie and Brenda Irons’ son David died in 1979 aged 12 while swimming.

At the time the couple were told their son had died from epilepsy, but 20 years later Mrs Irons suffered a cardiac arrest and was diagnosed with Long QT syndrome – a rare genetic heart condition.

They were told by doctors there was a chance David could have died from the same condition.

The couple from Stotfold have campaigned tirelessly, along with the cardiac charity SADS UK, to make defibrillators readily available in their community.

Mr and Mrs Irons are determined to increase the number of defibrillators in schools, with St Mary’s Church of England Academy in Stotfold being the 14th school to benefit from their generosity.

A defibrillator, costing �1,400, is a crucial tool to restore the heart rhythm and prevent sudden cardiac death. Mr Irons, who was with his son when he died, said: “We hope and pray these defibrillators don’t ever have to be used.

“But in the eventuality that they are, they will be able to save lives.

“Our poor son did not have a chance and nor did we. It is something that you never get over.”

Other schools and clubs to have benefited from Mr and Mrs Irons’ generosity have been Fearnhill School, Etonbury Academy, Samuel Whitbread Academy, Robert Bloomfield Academy, Arlesey Football Club, Baldock Football Club, Stotfold Football Club and Letchworth GC Football Club.