A VISITOR centre at one of the most popular parts of the Malvern Hills is set to be equipped with a lifesaving defibrillator.

Cafe H2O and the Malvern Hills GeoCentre, based at the Wyche Innovation Centre in Upper Colwall, have been raising funds since last year to buy the defibrillator, which is used to treat people who suffer heart attacks.

And a private party in Colwall Village Hall last Saturday evening raised the remaining money needed to reach the £1,000 target.

The defibrillator will be fitted to the outside of the innovation centre building in the car park so that it will be accessible in the event of an emergency.

The defibrillator will be securely housed in a cabinet that the emergency services can provide a key code for over the phone if a heart attack victim needs treatment.

The Malvern Hills attract over a million visitors a year, making it statistically likely that someone will suffer from a heart attack locally. Having a defibrillator near the Wyche Cutting could help save a life by being able to provide treatment whilst waiting for paramedics.

Kate Harding of Cafe H2O said: “I’m so pleased that we have reached the target. We have been raising funds since late autumn last year, and have received lots of donations big and small from customers, friends, and local groups.”

Adrian Burden, technical director of Key IQ that manages the centre, said: “Defibrillators are now virtually foolproof, meaning that any member of the public can act as a first responder and help revive a victim by following very simple instructions given by the equipment.

"However, it is planned that members of staff at the centre will receive some basic training to familiarize themselves with the equipment and so be able to provide assistance with more confidence."

When the defibrillator is installed, training sessions in its use will be offered to local residents.