Staff and children from Cradley Play Nursery with Dudley's Mayor and Paul Grove, FastAid Black Country

The mayor of Dudley has unveiled a life-saving device at the heart of a community - thanks to children at a local nursery baking, splashing and making crafts to raise funds. Staff, parents and children from Cradley Play Nursery in Lyde Green have purchased and installed a defibrillator cabinet on the outside of their premises.

The nursery raised over £1,000 to buy a defibrillator cabinet and install it on their building - giving easy access to the device for the whole community. FastAid Black Country, a charity of 999 Community First Responders, and West Midlands Ambulance Service, then stepped in by donating a life-saving defibrillator and training staff at the nursery and members of the community to use it. Ann Richards, owner of Cradley Play Nursery, said:

“We’re really pleased we’ve managed to bring such an important life-saving device to our community with the help of FastAid and the ambulance service. For us, the children are the real stars, they’ve worked really hard to make things to sell and have even done a sponsored splash to raise money.

“Thanks to parents, friends and family and staff, who bought items from the children, sponsored them and donated money, we’ve managed to reach our goal. Hopefully, this defibrillator will never be needed, but it's reassuring for the nursery and the community to know it’s there.”

Councillor Dave Tyler, Mayor of Dudley, added:

“Firstly, I want to thank the nursery for not only realising the need for a defibrillator in their community, but also for working so hard to raise money to install it.

“It’s really nice to see so much community spirit and everyone from the children to a local charity and West Midlands Ambulance Service working together to give a real life-line to the area.”

To find out more about defibrillators in the community and FastAid Black country visit fastaidblackcountry.org.uk.