A DEVICE which can save lives in the event of cardiac arrest is ready for use in Birchwood after a fundraising mission.

Birchwood Town Council joined forces with the police, Certas Energy and the Oliver King Foundation to fund the defibrillator at Risley Police Station in Delenty Drive.

Certas Energy, based at Birchwood Park, donated £1,000 towards the defibrillator as part its support for its charity partner, the Oliver King Foundation.

The charity was set up to raise awareness of sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS), which is caused by heart rhythm abnormalities and puts those aged between 12 and 35 particularly at risk.

Defibrillators deliver electric energy to the heart and can potentially save someone's life after a cardiac arrest.

The town council and Risley police agreed to jointly donate the remaining funds to reach the £1,750 cost for the device.

Seven-year-old Ciaran Geddes died in April 2012 of a suspected cardiac arrest following an after-school kick-about at Locking Stumps Primary School.

Cllr Tony Higgins, chairman of Birchwood Town Council, said: “When we read about Certas Energy becoming charity partner with the Oliver King Foundation, members of the council were already discussing the need for a defibrillator unit following the loss of a young boy from heart failure in the area.

"I am very grateful to Certas Energy for their generous donation towards the purchase of the unit and for bringing these four organisations together – Certas Energy, the town council, Cheshire Police and the Foundation – all joining forces to help the community.”

Brian Worrall, director of corporate affairs at Certas Energy, added: “Through donations such as this one, we know that the residents in the Birchwood area, a number of which will be our employees, will have access to this life saving equipment should the need occur."

The Oliver King Foundation was set up in memory of 12-year-old Oliver, who died in March 2011 of SADS.

Between 16 and 19 young people die each week from syndrome.