Defibrillator fitted in Sunderland bid to improve health in city

Councillor Paul Edgeworth said the defibrillator would be a "lifeline" in the Thorndale Road estate

A new defibrillator has been installed outside a church in a project to also recruit community first responders.

The Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) was fitted at Bethel Church,Thorndale Road and was among 29 devices installed across Sunderland.

It forms part of a £90,000 grant approved by the city council in a bid improve health in the city.

Councillor Paul Edgeworth said the defibrillator would be a "lifeline" in the heart of the Thorndale Road estate.

"Having a defibrillator at the heart of the estate will provide a lifeline in an emergency," he added.

It would give people "some reassurance" in case they ever needed one, Mr Edgeworth said.

Wearside Liberal Democrats said the 29 new defibrillators also formed part of a project to recruit and train community first responders at hubs across the city.

The initiative was launched by the council and the North East Ambulance NHS Trust.