A DEFIBRILLATOR has been installed at a Pershore school thanks to the hard work of a bereaved family.

The machine is available to everyone in the nursery, first and middle schools at Abbey Park Schools Federation but has also been made accessible for people using the nearby Abbey Park and the homes surrounding the schools.

The defibrillator is one of 170 machines made available to schools and communities in Worcester, Bromsgrove, Redditch and Dudley thanks to Maggie and Robert Underwood.

The machine was paid for by the Charlotte and Craig Saving Hearts Foundation (CCSHF), which was set up in memory of their children, Charlotte and Craig Underwood.

Mr and Mrs Underwood, from Redditch, first lost 16-year-old Charlotte in 2010 from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) and then Craig in 2013 from the same condition.

The couple now spend their time raising funds for defibrillators for local schools and promoting awareness of cardiac conditions in young people.

Roof Top Housing Association also donated £600 to pay for an access cabinet for the Pershore machine so it could be housed outside the school and available around the clock for the whole community.

Three Seas (Electrical Services) Ltd installed the machine free of charge.

Mr and Mrs Underwood said: "After being contacted by an ex paramedic to see if we could help make Abbey Park Federation a heartsafe school, Charlotte & Craig Saving Hearts Foundation were delighted to donate a life saving defibrillator to Abbey Park Federation in Pershore.

"This will help save lives in a cardiac arrest situation and give everyone the very best chance of survival.

"CPR alone gives approximately five per cent chance of survival, by adding a defibrillator into the chain of survival the chances increase to approx 80 per cent.

"Abbey Park has gone a big step forward."

They added: "This will now be available 24 hours a day to the general public and will help to save many lives in and around the community.

"This is something CCSHF are passionate and committed in doing and knowing the importance."

They added their thanks to Rooftop, Abbey Park's PTA for donating £300 to the charity and Martin Carvill from Three Seas Electrical Services, who gave up his time free of charge.

Anyone who wants to find out more should visit ccsfh.org.uk or email info@ccshf.org.uk