Customers at a pub in Whitefield raised enough funds to purchase a potentially life-saving defibrillator in just three months.

Sue Hawley, the landlady of the Coach and Horses, a Joseph Holt pub on Bury Old Road, launched the appeal after being inspired by her son Lewis, a paramedic.

Though the pandemic saw many favouring card over cash, generous punters donated £1,500 through bucket collections to pay for the device.

Collections took place every weekend from August to November last year, and thanks to the generosity of the customers, Sue was able to raise the money she needed. Having learned to use the device during a first aid course she took over lockdown, Sue now plans to have staff trained to use it too.

She said, “Lewis made me even more aware of how vital defibrillators are for saving lives and it made me think how having one at the pub would play a critical part in protecting the public.

“What’s more, our pub is on a busy main road, Bury Old Road, and there have been so many accidents here over the years. A defibrillator literally can make a difference between life and death.”

“The defibrillator now takes pride of place outside the pub,” she added, “I hope I never have to use it.”

A defibrillator works by producing a high energy electric shock to someone in cardiac arrest which restarts their heart.

There are about 6000 defibrillators registered on the North West Ambulance Service’s 999 system, with a total of around 18,000 registered with emergency services across the country.

The device at the Coach and Horses is registered with the National Defibrillator Network, known as The Circuit, which informs emergency services about where defibrillators can be found, in the event of a cardiac arrest.

Paul Longmire of Joseph Holt added: “If someone goes into cardiac arrest, every minute without CPR and defibrillation counts.

The brewery is so proud of Sue, the staff and all the customers who have given this life saving piece of equipment to the community.”