Donation will help sports clubs and to change recovery statistics

East Neuk clubs have been bowled over after netting a life-saving gift.

Pittenweem bowling and tennis clubs were delighted to have a public access defibrillator installed.

The money for the equipment was donated by businessman Jamie Morris.

He said: “I am delighted to have been able to donate this vital life-saving equipment although I hope it is never needed.”

Gillian Duncan, from East Neuk First Responders, who have organised the installation, said: “Every second counts when someone suffers a cardiac arrest, the quicker a shock from a defibrillator can be delivered, the better the chance of survival.

“This defibrillator is now available 24/7 to those using the bowling green and tennis courts but also anyone in the surrounding area.”

Every week in Scotland around 70 people have an outof-hospital cardiac arrest but only two people make it home.

That’s less than 10% while other European countries have survival rates of more than 50%.

Gillian said this was largely to a lack of bystander CPR and availability of public access defibrillators.

She added: “With the fantastic support our charity gets from our local community and businesses, we aim to change these statistics, which will see more people making it home to their family and friends.”

Back from left: bowling club vice-president Charlie McKay and president Jim Ewing, Phil Hammond and Jim Kirk, of the tennis club. Front: Jamie Morris.