A PRIMARY school has taken delivery of a defibrillator which could potentially save lives.

the life of one of its pupils and a staff member.

Barry Round Table has donated the life-saving device to Colcot Primary School, Barry, after hearing that one of its pupils, five-year-old Charlie Preece, suffers with has Vascular EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome).

A teacher at the school also has EDS.

There are 12 different types of EDS. Vascular EDS is a rare type of EDS often considered to be the most serious.

The condition affects the blood vessels and internal organs, which can cause them to split open and lead to life-threatening bleeding.

It is estimated to affect between one in 50,000 and one in 200,000 people.

EDS results from mutations in COL3A1 gene.

It is characterised by aneurysms, rupture of the bowel, and rupture of the womb during pregnancy.

Common features include lobeless ears; thin nose and lips; unusually visible veins; varicose veins developing at a younger age than usual; and premature ageing of the skin on the hands and feet.

There is also a history of easy and significant bruising; fine hair which may be thinning; and sufferers have prominent eyes.

Colcot Primary teacher Victoria Noble was diagnosed with EDS two years ago and is, with the school and Charlie’s family, supporting Annabelle’s Challenge – the UK’s leading charity for Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome working with the NHS EDS National Diagnostic Service.

Lynda Allen, 43, of Colcot, Barry, said the Round Table support would give her family peace of mind.

Mrs Allen and her father are the special legal guardians to her sister Natalie Preece’s three children – Brandon, 16, Megan, 12, and Charlie.

Brandon has been diagnosed with the condition, but Megan is clear.

Ms Preece died in 2013 – five days after Charlie was born – and Charlie was diagnosed when he was one-and-a-half-years old .

Mrs Allen said: “We didn’t know Natalie had this. It didn’t pick up on the scan

“She had a lot of problems in pregnancy.

“As you get older it gets worse. There is no cure.”

“Charlie takes blood pressure medication to try and to prevent aneurysms.

“He gets tired and has to avoid contact sports. He doesn’t heal properly and he has gastro problems. He’s so fragile inside.”

She added: “He’s funny. He’s quite a character. He loves playing on his Xbox and he likes to get messy and cooking.”

Barry Round Table chairman Barrie Dyer said the charity wanted to get defibrillators out into the community.

He said they had seen Mrs Allen’s appeal on Facebook for a defibrillator for the school and had chosen to donate to the school.

“The defibrillators are cheap enough,” he said. “More of them means more people could be saved.”

Barry Round Table has already donated three defibrillators and two more ready for distribution.

The group raises money throughout the year by staging events and running the Santa Sleigh through the town.

The charity Annabelle’s Challenge aims to raise awareness and support for patients and families dealing with the condition.

For information, visit annabelleschallenge.org