Aston Villa heroes unveil defibrillator at Wollaston pub

The high-tech piece of kit, worth £2,000, has been installed on the wall outside The Britannia Sports Bar in Wollaston High Street after a campaign by landlady Lisa Sutherland.

The device was kindly donated by Gaunts of Wollaston Funeral Directors who offered to buy the lifesaving technology after hearing about Lisa’s campaign, sparked after Denmark footballer Christian Eriksen was saved through early intervention after collapsing during a Euro 2020 game.

The installation of the device was officially celebrated when former Aston Villa footballing stars who won the 1982 European Cup visited the pub on Monday May 16.

Landlady Lisa said seeing what happened to Christian Eriksen “grabbed the hearts of everyone” and she added: “We sponsor 23 grass roots football teams and after reading just how incredibly important these defibrillators are in the moment of an emergency we knew we had to get one for our village, even more so with the football playing fields directly opposite the pub.”

She thanked Gaunts for supporting her appeal – by buying the defibrillator and paying for its installation and said it has already been picked up for use in an emergency, according to ambulance service data, and she added: “This shows just how valuable these machines are.”

Jake Gaunt, left, and Chris Pinfield, right, both of Gaunts of Wollaston Funeral Directors - with the lifesaving defibrillator outside The Britannia Sports Bar

A spokesperson for Gaunts added: “This kind of equipment is so important and can make all the difference in a time of need. Although it has been less than two weeks since it was installed, it has already been used once - proving how vital it really is.

“It gives us an immense sense of pride to be able to give something back to the local community that we serve and hopefully can help many people in future.”