A brand-new lifesaving defibrillator has been unveiled in Hervines Park in Amersham.

The new piece of equipment has been installed Kinds Church Amersham Football Club, after the club approached Barnett Waddingham for sponsorship.

After obtaining approval from Amersham Town Council, the club purchased and installed a defibrillator machine at the pavilion donated by Barnett Waddingham and supported by Amersham Bowls Club.

The new equipment was unveiled on August 9.

Pete Hoar (Head coach and one of the founders of KCA FC 25 years ago) said: “Kings Church Amersham Football Club is a thriving local football club with 250 boys and girls playing each week. Hervines and Barn Meadow are great resources and the club is supported by Amersham Town Council in delivering games here every weekend during the season.

“As a club we are looking to achieve FA Chartered standard and that’s means making sure every part of the club is running well, for example coaches will all this year have FA level 1 coaching qualifications (including first aid).

“In reviewing all of this we saw that a missing component was our response to a cardiac incident and particularly cardiac risk in the young. Cuts and bone will heal but an acute heart stoppage has a three-minute window to resolve.

“By having a secure, first class defibrillator right by the pitches, Barnett Waddingham and Amersham Bowls Club’s generous donation means that we can get such a device into action as soon as possible.”

Nick Salter, Founding Partner of Barnett Waddingham, said: “As a national company with offices in 8 locations we are keen to support our local communities. This is particularly so in Amersham where we are headquartered.

“We take our CSI responsibilities very seriously so are very pleased to support this initiative, for our young footballers but also for other users of the park, the bowls club, cricket teams, dog walkers and the like.”

Mayor of Amersham Mark Flys said: “Communities thrive when they are well supported, and I am delighted to see the support from one of Amersham’s biggest companies in obtaining this defibrillator.

“With only seconds to act access to such an easy to use device means we give the chance of the best possible outcome. So I am delighted to commission this defibrillator and thank all involved.”