Cupcake sale to save lives

Jo James and her daughters Jasmine (14), Jessica and Jodi (both 10), baked and sold over 100 cupcakes to help buy a defibrillator for Sutton Community Academy to have on-site.

Jo is a tutor in the adult and community learning department at the academy and wanted to do her bit after missing a fundraising event held there.

Said Jo: “I decided I wanted to do something to contribute so my girls and I baked cupcakes and put an advert on Facebook to friends and family, saying we were selling them at six for a fiver.

“What made me want to do it more was that when I was 17 I lost my dad Tony Bostock to a heart attack.

“He was only 51 and it raises the question, if there had been a defibrillator about then, would he still be here?

“It is something I am quite passionate about and I wanted to support the college.”

Jo enjoys baking at home and said there is always a slice of cake on offer when friends come round.

She and the girls baked chocolate and vanilla cupcakes and there was a great response to their Facebook advert, meaning they raised an impressive £80.

Thanks to the efforts of staff, students and partners Natwest, the academy has raised enough cash for a defibrillator and it is on order.