The Robert Allen Life Promotion and Healthy Hearts Trust donates defibrillator to Diss High School

A national charity has provided Diss High School with a defibrillator to offer potentially lifesaving help for students.

Richard Allen, whose son, Robert, died of an undiagnosed heart condition in 2018, visited Diss to mark the installation of the essential piece of kit by the school’s playing field.

“It’s gives reassurance to all of our staff and students,” said Steph Self, administration officer at Diss High School.

“The aim is to avert other young people from finding themselves in similar catastrophic situations, while creating greater awareness.”

Mr Allen’s charity, The Robert Allen Life Promotion and Healthy Hearts Trust, was formed after the untimely death of his son, a former national schools rowing champion.

Last year, several sports centres across the Diss Express area installed their own defibrillators after footballer Christian Eriksen collapsed during a Euro 2020 fixture.