A LIFESAVING addition has been made to playing fields in Stourbridge after a youth football team unveiled their new defibrillator.

Forest Falcons JFC, which plays at Lea Vale Playing Fields, have provided a defibrillator with 24-hour access for the benefit of the whole community.

Funding the new state-of-the-art piece of equipment, which has been installed at Oldswinford Cricket Club, was made possible by fundraising by the club, as well as a grant from the Stourbridge community forum fund.

By placing the cabinet at the cricket club, it means it is installed in a central and easily accessible location to provide lifesaving support to as many people as possible.

Project organiser Connell McAteer said: “Forest Falcons Junior Football Club is delighted to be able to give something back to the community with this life-saving initiative, and would like to extend thanks to the Oldswinford Cricket Club for their co-operation and the Stourbridge community forum for its significant financial support.”

The defibrillator installed in Oldswinford is designed specifically for use by members of the public and are effective even if the bystander has had no training. The device will analyse the rhythm of the heart and can deliver an electric shock to try and restore a normal heart rhythm if necessary.

It is a fully automated external defibrillator (AED) and even talks the user through what they need to do, including whether it is necessary for the heart to be shocked.