A COLLABORATIVE fundraising effort between runners across the region had led to the installation of two defibrillators on a popular path.

Last year members of Tottington Lines Running Group (TLRG) organised a 24 hour endurance event where participants ran lengths of the 2.14 mile stretch of Tottington Lines between Brandlesholme and Greenmount for 24 hours.

With support from Radcliffe Athletics Club, Ramsbottom Running Club, the carers of The Totty Snake and numerous volunteers, over £4,000 was raised and 1,000 miles completed in the 24 hours.

The cash has now gone towards the purchase of two life-saving defibrillators including a thermal case unit believed to be the first of its kind in Greater Manchester.

The defibrillators have been installed at Darlington Close, Tottington and South Royds Street, Tottington.

TLRG’s Mike Cooke, said: “We were created as an informal running group in 2016. It was fitting that on the fourth anniversary we were able to hold this fundraising event for such a worthy cause.

“To raise more than double the amount hoped for has allowed us to purchase two defibrillators and in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic it was great to be able to see the community pull together and fund this much-needed equipment.”

Members of The Sunnywood Project Youth Programme assisted in the installation of the new thermal case unit as part of their activities towards earning a qualification under The John Muir Award Scheme, which encourages people of all backgrounds to connect with wild places

The project’s director, Mike Young, said: “Combining arts and nature, the project promotes a love of the great outdoors through a variety of events, conservation and educational programmes designed to support the improvement of mental, physical and social wellbeing for young people living in Bury.”