A LIFE-SAVING piece of equipment has been installed outside the Costcutter shop in the Marlpool area of Kidderminster after members of the community rallied round to raise the funds.

Resident Natalie Hill contacted Susie Griffiths about getting a defibrillator installed on the estate and the pair set about raising the money needed to make the idea a reality.

Thanks to generous donations from Costcutter, the local Cafe Friends group, residents and shops offering to display collection tins, £550 was raised and the unit was installed this week.

SPM Building Services and Greenhill Electrical provided their services free of charge to install the cabinet and Pete Richards from Droitwich AED came out to fit the defibrillator.

With £200 left to raise, Susie and Anna L'Huillier began organising a 100-mile roller skate, bike and hike challenge, but donations from members of the Kidderminster Matters Facebook group made up the total.

The challenge will still go ahead in Easter week as a thank you for people's generosity.

Susie said: "I am overwhelmed with the community spirit that made this such a pleasure to coordinate. I couldn't be more grateful to them all.

"Hopefully it will never be needed, but it's reassuring to know there is a paediatric and adult defib in our community, should it be needed.

"In these times, it is not easy to raise money, but the response has been humbling.

"Biggest thanks in the world to everyone involved. Team work makes the dream work!"