A LIFESAVING piece of equipment has been unveiled at a Kidderminster youth venue following a dedicated fundraising campaign by a town businessman.

Kidderminster and District Youth Trust (KDYT) founder Charles Talbot MBE unveiled the new £1,600 defibrillator at the group’s Youth House base in Bromsgrove Street.

Dave Griffin, who runs Quads N Castles, started an appeal to raise the cash needed for the vital machine when the former Wyre Forest Glades Leisure Centre, which used to house a defibrillator, closed down last July.

And just two months after launching an online fundraiser, the target had been reached and equipment purchased.

Mr Talbot said: “This is yet another excellent example of the voluntary spirit that is alive and well in this town. It is only by our example will the younger people in Kidderminster will want to do such things too.

“This hugely useful machine came about with Dave spearheading the fundraising side and actively selling it and its lifesaving potential to make it happen.

“It is a privilege for me to unveil this in my first official outing since being awarded my MBE medal from the Princess Royal.”

Mayor of Kidderminster and KDYT trustee Mary Rayner said: “It is absolutely marvellous that we have managed to get this defibrillator that will do so much important work.

“It has been recognised that young people are just as vulnerable from things such as heart attacks and so we are extremely grateful that this has been recognised.”

The donations to cover the cost were made by Glenys Mountford-Galloway, Cat Bennet, Gill Hodgson, Tracey Tindell, Clare Crew, Kayleigh Oliver, Worcestershire Chimney Services and Quads N Castles.

Mr Griffin said: “I want to thank everyone who supported this appeal for a piece of equipment that has the potential to save people’s lives.”