DEFIBRILLATORS have been installed at a Meirionnydd school in memory of two former pupils, who tragically died aged 17 and 20.

Pupils and staff at Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn pledged to raise funds and, following fundraising initiatives, two of the potentially life-saving machines have now been installed on school premises.

Money came from the fund set up in memory of Toby Edwards, who died in his sleep, aged 20, after suffering heart failure.

The school was also given a donation to cover the purchase of a second defibrillator in memory of 17-year-old Elisha Carter, who died from a rare form of cancer.

A CPR training session given by Tywyn-based Nick Aitken, Welsh Hearts’ fundraising manager, at the end of April 2016, taught everyone lifesaving CPR techniques.

They also learnt how to use special defibrillator machines and how important they can be in a life or death situation.

With their new-found knowledge in mind, pupil Tom Edwards and English teacher Hannah Hughes, who supervised pupils on the CPR course, inspired the school to launch its fundraising campaign.

Within a week the school received a cheque from the Toby Edwards Memorial Fund which enabled the purchase of a defibrillator.

The fund was established to commemorate the life of Toby (Tom’s cousin), a former pupil at Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn, who died in his sleep after suffering heart failure in May 2012, aged just 20.

Fittingly, the last donation to be made from the fund before it closes will be a gift of three benches to the community – one at Ysgol Tywyn, one at Ysgol Penybryn and one on the high street.

Over the five years since losing Toby, the fund has raised over £35,000, which has all gone to local community causes and Wales Air Ambulance.

Toby’s aunt, Lisa Edwards, said: “The Edwards family would like to let our local community know that the Toby Edwards Memorial Fund has now come to an end. We would like to thank you all for your kind support and donations over the years. We would personally like to say a big thank you to Gwen Jones for everything she has done for the fund.”

The school was given a cheque to cover the purchase as a poignant memorial to another former pupil.

Elisha was only 17 when she died from a rare form of cancer in October last year.

Her mother, Emma Furneaux said: “I was overwhelmed by the support our family received from so many people in the community.

“I felt it was ‘the right thing to do’ to give something valuable back that would preserve lives in the community.”