Highfield Rangers, in Rushey Mead, has more than 200 members in a range of junior and senior football and cricket teams.

The club has teamed up with heart charity the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust (JHMT) to install an automated external defibrillator (AED) at its clubhouse in Gleneagles Avenue.

The defibrillator and its protective cabinet were both funded by the JHMT, which will also provide CPR and defibrillator training for members, coaches and friends of the club.

Sarah Thorpe from Highfield Rangers said: "We are really pleased to have this defibrillator on site. While we hope we will never have to use it, it shows our commitment to the Leicester and Leicestershire heartsafe sports programme and will also benefit the wider community. Nothing can be more important than saving a life.

"The JHMT, in particular Charles Poole, has given us tremendous support, advice, information and guidance in obtaining this vital resource and donating it to us, and we are extremely grateful. We're now looking forward to our CPR training, which along with the defibrillator will help to make us a heartsafe club – because it's not just about having a defibrillator, it's important to know how to use it.

"This defibrillator will also give reassurance to the public and members that there is immediate access to emergency life-saving AED equipment if it is needed."

The JHMT was set up in memory of Joe Humphries, who died from sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS) aged just 14 in October 2012, whilst out running near his family home in Rothley, Leicestershire.

Since Joe's death, the JHMT continues to raise awareness of SADS and sudden heart deaths. The charity provides free CPR training, helps to fund community defibrillators and campaigns for better understanding of SADS.

The JHMT continues to work particularly closely with community sports clubs, and has provided free training in CPR and how to use a defibrillator for volunteers and members at scores of local clubs.

Steve Humphries from the JHMT said: "We're delighted to have worked alongside Highfield Rangers' cricket and football clubs to help create a heartsafe environment at their home base.

"Having coaches, players and volunteers trained in hands-on CPR and having access to a defibrillator should form a key part of all Leicestershire sports clubs' duty of care plans.

"Sudden cardiac arrest can strike anyone of any age, without warning – including fit and healthy young people playing sport or taking part in physical activity. The work of Joe's Trust goes on as the challenge ahead is to try to create a level playing field across all levels of local sport, from elite to grassroots, where being fully prepared and equipped to save a life becomes the norm."