CHILDREN at Kildwick Primary School raised funds to buy a life-saving defibrillator for their village.

The device has now been fitted to a wall outside the school in Priest Bank Road, and staff have been trained in its use.

And anyone can utilise the defib in an emergency, by dialling 999 and obtaining an access code from the call handler.

The school said it decided to buy the defibrillator because the only other device in the community is at the other side of the village, outside Kildwick and Farnhill Institute.

Children, their families and staff raised more than £750 – and a parent offered to provide match-funding.

The defibrillator campaign was overseen by teaching assistant Caroline Fothergill.

She said the pupils had suggested a wide range of fundraising ideas.

Activities included an Easter egg decorating competition earlier this year, bun sales, the sale of unwanted toys amongst the children and a newsletter, which was distributed to the community. Also, the Coffee and Crumbs mobile cafe – on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal towpath near the school – raised £100 with a collecting box.

Mrs Fothergill said: “The children are really enthusiastic.

“I’ve been overwhelmed with families donating items.

“We’ve had lessons for the older children about what a defibrillator is for and they’re learning first aid in school.”