TWO pieces of potentially lifesaving equipment have been unveiled in the town centre – thanks to local businesses and a nine-year-old author.

A public access defibrillator has been unveiled outside Wilmslow Library by North West Ambulance Service charity CardiacSmart, while a second has been installed in Alderley Road by LifePad Solutions.

The £1,500 CardiacSmart unit has been funded by sales of John’s Magic Gloves, by Gorsey Bank Primary School pupil Ajmain Alam.

The youngster, also known as JJ, saw his story beat off competition from more than 70 entries in a football writing competition last year to be illustrated and published.

Kevin Hookham, CardiacSmart team fundraiser, said: “Public access defibrillators save lives. When a cardiac arrest occurs, the first three minutes are absolutely critical in terms of outcome for the patient.

“It isn’t necessary to have any prior training to use a defibrillator – the machines will talk to those attending the cardiac arrest sufferer.

What is most important is early resuscitation intervention until an ambulance arrives.”

Cllr Paul Bates, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for communities and health, added: “JJ and everyone involved should be very proud of what they have achieved through their shared passion for storytelling, football and helping to save lives.”

Copies of John’s Magic Gloves are still on sale for £5 each at Wilmslow, Handforth and Alderley Edge libraries, WFA, and Gorsey Bank Primary School. All proceeds will be given to CardiacSmart.

Meanwhile Cllr Olivia Hunter, mayor of east Cheshire, turned out for the unveiling of LifePad Solutions’ defibrillator on Monday.

The unit was sponsored by Jo Davies of Black White Denim, in Alderley Road, while Nigel Stani forth of Survey Systems, in Handforth, prepared the plans for the unit at no cost, Kevin Dryburgh, director at LifePad Solutions, said: “I am delighted that the mayor agreed to attend the official opening.

"Her being here shows what an important piece of lifesaving equipment this is to ensure help is close at hand should anyone be unfortunate enough to suffer cardiac arrest.

“There can never be enough defibrillators in town centres and if they save one life in the years to come then all the efforts of local businesses and the council to ensure as many defibrillators are out there as possible will have been worthwhile.”

The firm is now in discussions with CEC about installing a unit in every town centre across the borough.

Paramedics Sara Harris and Mike Pain, paramedics from CardiacSmart, will offer free defibrillator training sessions at 11am on Saturday, June 10, and Saturday, June 24, at Wilmslow Library.

Adults, children and families are all welcome to attend. Call the library on 01625 374060 to sign up.