THE mum of a young girl with a rare heart condition has managed to get another life-saving defibrillator for Thurrock.

Charlotte Yoxall, 35, from Stanford-le-Hope, has been instrumental in getting the automated external defibrillator (AED) devices.

Her daughter Katie, nine, could go into cardiac arrest at any time.

The latest device will be installed at the Stanford House Post Office, in Princess Margaret Road, East Tilbury.

Last year, a woman died of a heart attack and an ambulance couldn’t get to her sooner because the level crossing was down.

It will be the fourth to be made publicly accessible in the borough.

In fact, it is only the fourth in the whole county.

Defibrillators were installed last year at the Rising Sun pub, in Stanford, and Horndon-on-the-Hill Primary School, and one is just about to be fitted at Corringham Library.

Charlotte said: “My aim is to have publicly-accessible AEDs all around Thurrock.

“We were finishing off the funding for the one in Corringham when Facebook exploded with people wanting one in East Tilbury. When we found out about that lady, everyone came together to get it sorted as quickly as possible.

“When that barrier is down, you’re just completely shut off.”

The installation of public AEDs exploded nationwide after Bolton footballer Fabrice Muamba collapsed after a cardiac arrest during a game in March 2012.

Trudie Lobban, founder and chief executive of the heart rhythm charity Arrhythmia Alliance, was impressed with Charlotte’s efforts.

She said: “Thanks to Charlotte, several communities across Thurrock are now safer in the event of sudden cardiac arrest.

“She is a great role model and sets a superb example to individuals in other communities across the UK.

“AEDs dramatically increase the chance of a person surviving in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest.”

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Gazette reporter Neil Hawkins went along to an evening class to learn the basics of using an AED. Here's how he got on.

BEFORE attending a demonstration to see how AEDs work, I’d never tried any formof first aid.

But after just 90 minutes with Nick Luft and his team from Triple L Training, I now know enough to possibly save someone’s life one day.

Statistics show CPR only saves 9 per cent of people who suffer a cardiac arrest, but a AED can increase the survival rate to nearly 50 per cent.

The AED machines couldn’t be easier to use.

Triple L showed us three different types of machines. All speak to you with step-by-step instructions and tell you where to apply the pads.

There’s a fear about using the machines, but after using one on the night on a manikin, it was clear there was no need to be.

I hope I never have to use one, but if the situation arises, I know I can.

Triple L Training is a family-run company in Stanford-le-Hope that provides medical training courses, including basic first aid and “save a baby’s life” sessions.

For more information on AED and first aid training visit www.tripleltraining.co.uk