AFTER months of fundraising to try and get a defibrillator installed at Marlborough Rugby Club, the live-saving equipment was finally handed over at a celebratory supper on Friday night.

The 1871 club, a group dedicated to helping youth players at the rugby club, led the fundraising effort and managed to raise more than £1,300 to purchase the defibrillator, which now sits inside the rugby club, in the Common.

Chairman of the club, Rod Adams, paid tribute to all the people who chipped in to make this possible.

"You cannot stress just how important this piece of equipment can be. Countless lives have been saved because of defibrillators so we are very happy to see it at our club," he said.

"We have a huge amount of people, both adults and children, who play here so it is of paramount importance that we have this kit now.

"A few years ago, a referee's live was saved at a rugby match when someone used a defibrillator and last year I was working out at the Marlborough Leisure Centre and a man collapsed next to me.

"Both these men thankfully lived so having this is a great thing to have. Now we just need to find someone to train people at the club."

The 1871 Club’s main goal is to provide funds for the development of junior rugby. All its members have either played for the club or helped it out in someway.

The club are also looking for volunteers who could coach the juniors or help at the club. For more information visit www.marlboroughrugbyclub.co.uk