A LIFESAVING defibrillator is set be installed in Cofton Hackett in tribute to a popular teenager, helping to save lives in his memory.

The device, thought to be the village’s first public-use defibrillator, is in tribute to Jack Baker, who died on the rail tracks in Alvechurch aged just 17 last June.

His mum Caroline works at Hopwood Veterinary Centre on Lickey Road, and staff were keen to raise money for the project in his memory.

Customers and clients donated £670 towards the device, staff raised £230 on a sponsored walk, and Joe Fletcher - who is the brother of staff member Sherran Buckley - raised a further £485 in a comedy night.

Cara Alma, practitioner at the vets, said: “A nurse and I went on a first aid course earlier in the year.

“We were trained to use defibrillators and when we came back we looked around to see where the nearest defib was.

“The nearest one was over a mile away up and down hills, but wasn’t public use. If somebody needed to use one it would have been too far.

“We live in quite a built up area and it was really important for us to have one that was readily available for anyone to use.

“We hope this will help save lives in Jack’s memory.”

The vets bought the device from Adam Walton of CardiAid UK, a friend of a customer, who offered it for a discounted price upon hearing the reason for the purchase.

It is due to be installed outside the vets this month.

Jack’s mum Caroline has been left touched by the tribute to her son – a well-loved former South Bromsgrove High School student, who also delivered the Advertiser.

She said: “It is a lovely tribute to him.

“He was just 17 and a typical teenager. He was very willing to help anybody if anybody was struggling. If an elderly person dropped their stick he would stop and help them.

“He would always make everybody laugh and he was well-loved by his school friends.

“Our family is broken now.

“But everybody has been really kind and helpful. It has been great to keep Jack’s memory alive.”