An ageing defibrillator in one of the most populated areas of Barrow has been replaced with an upgrade.
The lifesaving device will be housed on an external wall of the Abbots Vale Community Centre.
It was handed to community centre manager Karen Lancaster and local councillor, Andy Coles, by Cameron Bell from JFH Hornby & Co.
Cllr Coles said: “We are hugely grateful to the team at JF Hornby & Co for this very kind donation.
The existing defibrillator at the community centre is about 12 years old, so this replacement could not have come at a better time.
“These machines save lives – it’s as simple as that. So, to know we have a new device packed with the latest technology will be of great reassurance to the local Abbots Vale community, and the people of Risedale generally.”
The Abbots Vale defibrillator brings the number of life-saving devices that have so far been handed to community groups and venues through Hornby’s Have a Heart Campaign to four.
The locations of a further two have been agreed at Millom Park and Silecroft village and they will be handed over in the coming weeks.
The JF Hornby & Co Have a Heart campaign was launched on Valentine’s Day this year with a pledge of £5,000 to deliver four defibrillators to communities most in need.
Due to the volume of requests, managing director Paul Hornby doubled the pledge to £10,000, meaning eight of the life-saving devices could be bought.
Funding is being provided by The Hornby Foundation, the company’s charitable arm.
A partnership has been formed with the British Heart Foundation, from whom the Hornby Foundation is buying the equipment.
Mr Hornby said: “I have been delighted to see the defibrillators we are funding as part of our Have a Heart campaign find their way to communities where they are most needed and will make a real difference.
“That was our mission when we embarked in this journey, and I’m so pleased we are making a positive and potentially lifesaving difference to the communities that mean so much to us as a business.”
Two fully funded defibrillator and external housing units remain available for communities across the Furness peninsula.
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