A LOCAL park run has been equipped with a dedicated defibrillator thanks to a donation from a charitable foundation.

The life saving machine will be on hand for organisers and volunteers at the Ford parkrun in Ulverston – which provides a free, 5km run every Saturday morning at 9am.

The purchase of the device was made by the JF Hornby Foundation which supports a range of local charities and community groups every year.

Paul Hornby is the managing director of family-run North West accountancy firm JF Hornby & Co. which is also based in the town.

He said: “Ford parkrun is a popular event attended by people of all ages and levels of fitness every week.

“It offers everyone the chance to enjoy the experience of regular exercise, making a positive impact throughout the community.

“Having a defibrillator on hand in the event of an emergency situation could be the difference between life and death for someone so we wanted to ensure the group has this vital equipment should it ever be needed.”

The JF Hornby Foundation was established in 2015 as a way for the firm to give something back to the community.

So far it has distributed more than £100,000 to charities, causes and groups across the area.

Someone suffering a sudden cardiac arrest requires immediate help to maximise their chances of survival.

An Automated External Defibrillator provides a jolt of energy to the heart which can restore its rhythm and get it beating normally again.

If a defibrillator is used in the first three to five minutes of someone having a cardiac arrest their chances of survival increase from six to 74 per cent.

Paul added: “The JF Hornby Foundation was set up to help groups just like parkrun – where a boost like this can make a big difference.

“I hope the organisers and volunteers never have cause to use the defibrillator but that having instant access to it provides them with reassurance that they can give emergency help should an incident unfold.”