A POTENTIALLY life-saving device will be put in place outside a sports centre used by thousands of people each week.

The public access defibrillator will be stored in a cabinet outside Dunbar’s Hallhill Sports Centre, which is home to a number of sports clubs.

The device, used to help people suffering a cardiac arrest, has been donated by Taylor Wimpey East Scotland, as part of a joint initiative with the British Heart Foundation (BHF), to Dunbar Rugby Club.

During 2019, the BHF supported Taylor Wimpey to train its employees in CPR skills and provide every one of their building sites in the UK with a defibrillator.

Taylor Wimpey is donating the defibrillators to local communities when their developments are completed.

Justin Pearce, the president of the town’s rugby club, was delighted with the donation.

He said: “Taylor Wimpey East Scotland has been a long-time supporter of the club and I’m delighted they nominated our club and community to receive this defibrillator.

“We can’t thank them enough for this potentially life-saving equipment.

“While we hope we don’t have to use it, it’s fantastic to know we can access a defibrillator in the event of an emergency.”

A defibrillator is a portable device that can be used by anyone to help restart the heart when someone suffers from a cardiac arrest and has stopped breathing.

No specific training is needed and the device will only deliver a shock to the heart if necessary.

Estelle Stephenson, survival programme lead at the British Heart Foundation, stressed the importance of the device.

She said: “A cardiac arrest is the most serious medical emergency.

“Every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces a person’s chance of surviving by around 10 per cent, but calling 999, starting immediate hands-only CPR and using a defibrillator can significantly increase their chances of survival.

“During the pandemic, it is essential that these steps are still taken to help save someone’s life and there are some simple measures you can take to keep yourself safe so please don’t hesitate to help someone in need.”

Deryck Schendel, regional health and safety advisor for Taylor Wimpey in Scotland, said: “We are proud to be able to make this equipment accessible to Dunbar Rugby Club.”