Wire launch life saving fund

Warrington Town are on a fund-raising mission to buy a vital piece of life saving equipment.

The Wire has teamed up with the Hand on Heart charity and a local councillor for a raffle to help raise £1,500 towards the cost of a defibrillator to save the lives of any players or supporters who suffer a sudden cardiac arrest at future matches.

Thanks to the raffle and a £100 donation from Warrington Rotary Club, the Evo-Stik NPL First Division North club say their fund-raising campaign is now well underway.

Nationally, the need for life-saving equipment was highlighted this year when Bolton's Fabrice Muamba collapsed and nearly died playing against Tottenham. The former Premier League star's life was saved by doctors using a defibrillator and increasing numbers of Non-League clubs, including a number of Evo-Stik NPL teams led by Farsley are now purchasing them.

Sadly, Warrington suffered a local tragedy when seven-year-old school boy Ciaran Geddes collapsed and died earlier this year while playing football near his school.

His death also highlighted the need for defibrillators in schools and public buildings and local Councillor Tony Higgins donated the raffle prizes to the Wire to help with club's own fund-raising efforts.

Higgins, pictured alongside Gina Harris from the Hand on Heart Charity with the donated raffle prizes, said: "It important it is to get these life saving piece of equipment in all schools and public buildings and to raise public awareness of their importance. We as a council are committed in supporting this campaign."

Life saving equipment has now been presented to 10 local primary schools in Warrington thanks to charity Ciaran's Cause, set up in memory of the youngster.

Donations to the charity have ensured the defibrillators are now in place at Birchwood C of E, Gorse Covert, St Benedict's Catholic, St Stephen's Catholic, Latchford C of E, St Alban's Catholic, St Lewis's Catholic, Stockton Heath, Barrow Hall Community and Oakwood Avenue Community Primary School.