Kenilworth HeartSafe (KHS) has facilitated the installation of an automated external defibrillator at Kenilworth United Reform Church as part of its 'Saving Lives in Kenilworth' campaign.

It has been funded partly by URC funds but with a substantial donation from Mark Stevens, a former Church warden at St Nicholas Church, who has dedicated his donation in memory of his late friend Keith Grierson, the founding chairman of KHS.

The defibrillator at the Abbey Hill church will be publicly accessible 24/7.

KHS chairman Neil Morris said "This is now the 26th publicly accessible AED in our community and the 19th facilitated by KHS since our campaign started three years ago.

"KHS was approached by Kenilworth URC to assist in sourcing funds for the installation with the URC having around 25 per cent of the monies required.

"Mark Stevens had been in contact with us indicating his wish to support KHS' campaign in Keith's memory and he readily agreed to fund the significant shortfall which is an incredibly generous gesture. This campaign is to ensure that we have both the equipment and skills to help keep us all safe in the community where we live, work and play."

George Jones, Church Leader at Kenilworth URC, said: "We were very keen to host an AED at the church, providing potential lifesaving support to our congregation and all who enjoy the delights of Abbey Fields immediately opposite the church.

"We are very grateful to KHS for their support in taking this forward and to Mark Stevens for his incredible generosity in bridging the funding gap.

"We are now discussing with KHS some CPR and AED training courses for the benefit of our congregation and any local residents who wish to join us."

Mark Stevens added: "While I was a church warden at St Nicholas I had every reason to be grateful for the time and support I received from the late Keith Grierson and I was very keen to do something in his memory.

"I am delighted that this opportunity has arisen to enable me to fulfil this goal."

Further information about Kenilworth HeartSafe; the location of all AED's in and around Kenilworth; its CPR training programme and ways of making donations to support the "Saving Lives in Kenilworth" campaign can be found here.