Liverpool’s Mark King receives his OBE for life-saving defib campaign

Mark King, Founder of The Oliver King Foundation has received his Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) medal for services to charity.

Following the ceremony, Mark King OBE took the opportunity to announce the Foundation’s plans to open the UK’s first cardiac testing and prevention centre, dedicated to early detection and support for those at risk of heart conditions. 

The new ECG testing centre, located in Liverpool, will provide vital health screenings, particularly for students and athletes, to help identify potential cardiac issues before they become life-threatening. Cardiac specialists will be located at the centre to guide patients through testing, results and any necessary follow-up care required. The charity-leader hopes to secure funding to replicate this model across the country. 

Speaking after the investiture ceremony, Mark King OBE, Founder of The Oliver King Foundation, said: 

“It’s an incredible honour to receive this recognition, but more importantly it marks a new chapter in our mission to protect young hearts. The UK’s first cardiac testing and prevention centre will provide families with access to early screening, expert care and vital reassurance. Our goal is simple – to prevent avoidable tragedies and give every young person the chance to live a full healthy life.”

“This OBE belongs to our Oliver and to the people of Liverpool. Losing Oliver changed my family’s life forever, but the support from our community from the very beginning of The Oliver King Foundation has helped turn a personal tragedy into a movement that’s saving lives across the country.”

Maria Eagle, MP for Liverpool Garston, said: 

“Mark has achieved something truly extraordinary with The Oliver King Foundation. From the devastating loss of his son, Mark has built a legacy that has already saved countless lives and inspired change. 

“His OBE is richly deserved – I’ve had the privilege of standing alongside Mark from the very beginning and have seen firsthand the incredible impact the work has had.”

Mark’s accolade is a recognition of his tireless work to provide access to defibrillators and proper CPR training across the country for over a decade. As a result of Mark and The Oliver King Foundation’s campaigning, all public state-funded schools in England received defibrillators by the end of 2022. The charity’s success is measured by the 89 lives that have been saved as a result of the defibrillators and training that they have provided to the public. 

The Oliver King Foundation’s mission is to ensure that no other family experiences the heartbreak of losing a loved one to sudden cardiac arrest. The launch of the UK’s first cardiac testing and prevention centre marks a significant step forward in that mission – expanding the charity’s life-saving work from awareness and defibrillator access to early detection, prevention and long-term support for communities across the country. 

Find out more about The Oliver King Foundation here.

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