A local fathers group that hopes to put life-saving defibrillators in every London high school may raise enough money to do so by the end of the week.
Dad Club London, a group made up of fathers from across the city, launched a fundraising drive last month with the goal of $24,500. The total represents the estimated cost of equipping every London high school with an automated external defibrillator.
Jeremy McCall, president of Dad Club London, says they've raised just over $22,000 and could hit the goal by Friday.
"We're bringing in $800-$1,000 a day," he says. "Once we have the money in place, then the plan is to get the machines purchased and get them installed during the first week of school."
The drive was launched after Thames Valley District School Board trustee Jake Skinner, who is a member of Dad Club London, approached McCall about raising money to buy the AEDs.
The TVDSB plans to have defibrillators in all of its schools within five years. The Board hopes to install 40 per year. The overall cost is anticipated to be in the $300,000 range.
McCall says Dad Club London was inspired to raise money by the tragic death of Andrew Stoddart. The 15-year-old Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute student died in 2015 after suffering cardiac arrest while playing soccer. While the presence of an AED wouldn't have guaranteed his survival, McCall says it would surely have improved his chances.
McCall says there are several ways to donate to the campaign.
"You can go to dadclublondon.com/aed and that will have a list of all the different ways you can support it [the campaign]. You can drop off money to places like Palasad and Source for Sports on Wharncliffe or donate online," he says.
Donations can also be dropped off at any RBC branch and Donaldson Heating and Air Conditioning.