FOLLOWING a ‘squashathon’ fundraising event where Tavistock Squash Club members played squash non-stop for a 24 hour period, the club have now bought a top quality defibrillator.

The defibrillator is sited at the club in case someone ever had a heart attack while playing. Simon Powell, the owner of Tavistock Squash said: ‘Squash is a game for life and the club have members ranging in age from eight to 80. You never know when such an incident might occur no matter how fit you think you are, and there have been a number of stories recently with professional sports men and women having unexpected heart attacks. We hope we never have to use it, but it is comforting to know we have the facility should it be needed.’

The club have combined with South Western Ambulance Service to allow this defibrillator to be made available to them and the local community.

Mr Powell said:?‘Anyone calling the ambulance service from the surrounding area who is in need of a defibrillator will be given access to it in an emergency. As a community club we wanted the facility to be available beyond the club itself, and having bought a fully automatic machine, anyone can use it to save a life.’