A Leicestershire village have been given a further boost to create a heart safe environment at the Gilmorton Community Playing Fields Association's (GCPFA) pavilion. Thanks to a successful community fundraising campaign led by Steve Robertson, with support from family and friends, has finally led to the siting of a public accessible defibrillator.

The fundraising initiative 'Project-120Race Night' was aimed at raising funds for heart related charities including BHF and Heartwize and to fund the purchase of an AED. A number of local businesses and other key community organisations also helped out with the fundraising appeal. The project also aimed to get 120 Gilmorton villagers to undergo key lifesaving training - in CPR and how to use an AED. The training will take place in September.

The external cabinet which will keep the defibrillator safe was donated by Leicestershire heart charity, The Joe Humphries Memorial Trust (JHMT). The PAD is located on the external wall of the GCPFA Pavilion to ensure it's accessible to the local community 24/7. The defibrillator has also been registered with EMAS. Once registered, all AEDs are included on the Circuit. The Circuit is the national defibrillator network which connects defibrillators to NHS ambulance services across the UK so that in those crucial moments after a cardiac arrest, they can be accessed quickly to help save lives.

Steve (Robertson) said: " A HUGE thanks to everyone involved in helping out with the fundraising efforts to support good causes and to fund an AED. This includes valuable support and advice from the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust including the donation of the AED cabinet and guiding us through the process. I had very mixed emotions when putting the AED into its wall box after commissioning and registering it with the Circuit, making it become operationally live. A sense of pride at seeing my efforts and the good will of our community resulting in tangible results, but melancholy when I reflected upon my life experiences that had prompted me to champion heart related charitable causes. However, the overwhelming feeling was a warm glow of satisfaction that I had paid back a little and contributed to making life-saving equipment accessible 24/7 where it is most likely to be required, increasing awareness and by providing training helping to create an army of lifesavers."

Dr Mike Ferguson, JHMT Trustee, said: "By providing a defibrillator that is available to the community, Gilmorton has given the chance of preventing the death of someone who suffers an unexpected cardiac event. When a cardiac arrest happens every second counts – with every minute that defibrillation is delayed, the victim's chances of survival drop by about 10%. Early bystander intervention of CPR and defibrillation are key to survival."

JHMT works closely with schools, sports clubs and community groups across the city and county to raise awareness and for a better understanding of sudden, unexpected death in young people (SADS), to ensure more people have key CPR skills and know how to use a defibrillator and that more PADs are available within communities. It also runs Inspire, a local grants awards scheme. The awards continue to help young people aged 13-21 from Leicester and Leicestershire to fulfil their ambitions in the fields of music, arts, sports, entrepreneurism and community endeavour.

The Leicestershire heart charity was set up after the tragic death of Rothley teenager Joe Humphries in 2012, who suddenly collapsed and died from sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS) while out on a run, just minutes away from his home.

To find out more about the work of the Trust, apply for training and support, or to help out with the charity's work, visit the website at www.jhmt.org.uk