A COMMUNITY responders group in Hampshire have donated a defibrillator to potentially save the lives of people in their community.

The Bransgore Community First Responders have donated a defibrillator and security cabinet to the Thorney Hill Community Centre.

The Responders have worked in partnership with Thorney Hill Community Association to ensure the life saving defibrillator is readily available if the need arises.

The life-saving equipment has been installed by the front door in Burley Road and is available to the public in an emergency.

Responder Group spokesman Mike Jukes said: “We felt that this community should have a defibrillator available in case needed and we worked in partnership with the Association to provide and maintain it.

“I hope that the local people will recognise the value of having this equipment in their area.

“We hope that it is never needed but if it is it will help save a life.

“We will be letting local people in the Thorney Hill area know about the defibrillator by dropping leaflets through doors to ensure everyone knows what a valuable life saving tool it is.

“We will be providing some local awareness training on the defibrillator and demonstrating just how easy it is to do hands-only CPR and potentially be the person who saves a life.”

Violet James, a trustee of the Community Association, added: “We are grateful to Bransgore Responders for this defibrillator but also to Thorney Hill and Bransgore WI, and our electrician colleague Mike, without whose help we could not have managed.

“This defibrillator may one day save the life of one of our local residents.”