TWO fundraisers are attempting to raise £1,600 to pay for a defibrillator in Ainsworth Village.

Dave Steele and Dave Alford who are closely associated with Ainsworth FC, will cycle 83 miles from Walney Island to Glasson Dock in Lancashire.

The new defibrillator will be mounted in lockable casing with an access code on the Old White Horse pub wall.

So far £675 has been accumulated with a couple of months still to go and the pair are optimistic that the full total will be achieved.

Mr Alford, Ainsworth FC secretary and former player, said: “Me and Dave had lived in the area for over 30 years and we wanted to do something a little closer to home to help the community.

"Ainsworth FC has been in existence now for around half a century too so it was a case of what can we do for the local community.

“We have had quite a bit of support so far so I would just urge people to continue helping this good cause."

The couple have previous experience with cycling and fundraising after completing coast to coast bike rides before, but never as local as this time around.

Mr Alford, aged 55, added: “Every other year we do some kind of charity cycle ride together.

“Two years ago it was for prostate cancer but this year we decided to do something more local and for our community.

“As we are both involved actively within the community anyway via Ainsworth FC we thought this could be beneficial to the village as a whole.

“We think this is a really worthwhile cause as before Christmas there was a need for a defibrillator when someone became ill.

“There are currently two in the village, one at Ainsworth Primary School and one at the village dentist but both are only accessible when they are both open.

“At the end of the day we are both just doing something that we enjoy but with this it gives us an added incentive to get it done.”

A raffle will be held the day after the two men complete the challenge to try and help them raise as much as possible.

Three prizes will be on offer on Easter Sunday at the Old White Horse.

A JustGiving page has been started for people to donate online and there are also a number of collection points and sponsor forms for people wanting to make a contribution.

Collections boxes can be found at The Old White Horse, Ainsworth Dental, Casalingo restaurant, The Duke William and Zuga Fun in the village.

Some of these local organisations have already pledged financial support with local brewery Enterprise Inns giving permission for the defibrillator to be installed on the wall of the Old White Horse if all of the money is raised.

The JustGiving page can be found at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/david-steele