Since the death of our son Oliver, who sadly died in a nursery in Kent in September 2021 after choking on pasta we knew we had to create a legacy for Oliver to prevent other parents from having to live through the nightmare we have endured.
The Oliver Steeper Foundation was created mid 2023 with the aims of providing a life saving medical device called LifeVac into all registered early years childcare settings. We miss his beautiful little face, his cheeky little laugh and the joy he brought to our lives in his short time on this planet.
We are now fundraising for our charity, which has now been given official registration by the charities commission with the registration number of 1207047. If you are able to support our mission with a donation of any amount large or small please click above to continue to our GoFundMe page. To put a device into every Ofsted registered setting within Kent (inc nurseries and childminders), we would need to raise £75,000. Each device costs between £60/85 so we are truly grateful for any donations or fundraising done to help the foundation.
LifeVac is designed with a patented one way valve system, this means when applied no air can be forced through the interchangeable sized mask’s when depressed. This creates one-way suction to safely and effectively remove the lodged food or object. Being non invasive means there is no risk damaging the oral cavity, pushing the obstruction further down, pushing the tongue back in a panic situation, no tubes can become blocked rendering the device useless or activating the gag reflex putting the casualty at greater risk.
LifeVac is the only non invasive airway clearance device and the only airway clearance device with independent medical testing, peer reviewed medical publications, medical abstracts proving safety, effectiveness and lives saved.
LifeVac created the market for airway clearance devices and are leading the way for airway clearance device technology.
Foods that are classed as a choking risk are things such as whole grapes, nuts, marshmallows, hard boiled sweets, chewy sweets such as Haribo and sausages. It is always recommended to cut food up for children, for example you would not give a whole grape to a child as these are a “perfect” size to block their airway, it is recommended to cut grapes in at least half. Infants, children and young people with a neurodisability and those born prematurely are most likely to be at risk of dysphagia, but feeding difficulties also occur in typically developing children.
The stark fact is wherever there is a human, there is a possibility of a choking incident occurring. Whilst our aim is to supply all Ofsted registered EY settings and childminders, you can also purchase a LifeVac for your home, your car, your workplace or even your children's childcare provider.
Simply head to our website and you can purchase genuine LifeVac devices VAT free. http://www.tosf.org.uk
Sadly there are many counterfeit devices listed on social media sponsored adverts across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok etc, if you see a product which claims to be a LifeVac that is being told for around £20 or two for £50 etc, please, please do not buy this product. They are mass produced cheap Chinese knock off devices which can be fatal when used. The one way valve is nothing more then a rubber grommet which allows are to be pushed through the mask pushing the obstruction further down. If you are in doubt, please contact us, or LifeVac for clarification. The Oliver Steeper Foundation only supplies 100% genuine devices direct from the manufacturer, LifeVac Europe LTD.
We have given out over 740 devices now across Kent, and now look to fund the rest of the UK, which is an enormous tasking but not unachievable.
Thanks, Love Oli xx
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