Locals from Wigglesworth in North Yorkshire have been part of a walking event to raise money for a defibrillator for the community.

A group of people walked 45 kilometres (28 miles) on September 24th between Bolton-le-Sands and Glasson Dock near Morecambe.

The Craven Herald reported that the sponsored walk, which is longer than a marathon, has helped the village raise thousands of pounds for the life-saving device in the last couple of months.

Among those who took part in the charity event were Claire Occardi, Bev Ridsdale, Gaynor Ward, David Clarke, Anne Clarke and Chris Ward.

In addition to the trek, the community also held a used book sale at the Ploughs Beer Festival earlier in the summer on August 27th. Funds accrued through this, as well as donations, went towards the defibrillator to boost the amount raised through the sponsored walk.

The defibrillator will be placed outside the Plough Hotel in the heart of the village, while fundraising has already begun for a second machine, which will be kept at the community centre.

Volunteers have already put themselves forward for defibrillator training, so they can be called upon to use the device in an emergency.

Having a defibrillator on hand can mean the difference between life and death, helping to keep a person’s heart beating.

One example of this is bus driver Trevor Cowburn from Crawley. The 53-year-old was brought back to life after he received 18 electric shocks from paramedics using the machinery.

The South East Coast Ambulance crew was able to get his heart beating after he collapsed outside of his home in Broadfield, the Crawley News reported.

Get in touch with us if you need help with defibrillator training in the future.