A VILLAGE near Moreton is now safer in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest thanks to a dedicated resident.

Over the past few months Lucy Oliver, of Stretton-on-Fosse, has been arranging events to raise money for a public-access cabinet to house their community defibrillator, donated by Shipston heart rhythm charity Arrhythmia Alliance.

One of the events, a “buggy push” from Ebrington to the Plough in Stretton last September, raised more than £800 for the campaign.

The mother-of-one, who headed up the village community defibrillator project, said: “Arrhythmia Alliance has been brilliant in providing support and it was great fun to fundraise and pull people together.

“It is great piece of mind to know that the device is there should it ever have to be used. It’s nice to know we have it in the village."

Trudie Lobban MBE, Arrhythmia Alliance Founder & Trustee, said: “Arrhythmia Alliance thanks Lucy and all members of the Stretton-on-Fosse Defibrillator Group for their hard work to raise funds for their public-access cabinet.

“We are happy to have been able to donate this device to provide piece of mind to all in the community. Anyone wishing to place lifesaving devices in their community should contact Arrhythmia Alliance.

“Sudden cardiac arrest can strike anyone, at any time, and is the UK's biggest killer, killing more people than breast cancer, lung cancer and Aids combined.

"Every community should have lifesaving public-access AEDs available 24/7 ready in cases of emergency.”