ROSYTH FC has netted a new public access defibrillator which has been put in place at the Fleet Grounds.

The vital life-saving equipment can be used by people using the facility or by the local community should an emergency situation arise.

The club said the defib – and accompany case – were donated by the British Heart Foundation after being approached by the South West Fife Community Sports Partnership who operate the Fleet Grounds.

After an appeal was made on social media this week, they were delighted when local company ACR Electrical offered to install the equipment free of charge.

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Barry Paterson, chairperson of Rosyth FC Youth, was pleased to have the machine in place.

"We previously had one and it was inside the building because there was no box so it was really only for club use," he explained. "We were keen because of where the Fleet Grounds is located, to have one that was accessible to the public.

"With it being between the Peasehill Estate and Hilton Road, and being a popular walking place for dog walkers, we were keen to have something that was not just for the club and was able to be used by members of the public if needed.

"We got the full package from the British Heart Foundation which included the defibrillator, the pads and the headed and lighted box as well donated free of charge.

"I used the club's Facebook page and asked for a bit of help getting it installed. ACR Electrical Systems, who are a company from North Queensferry and had experience with the North Queensferry Community Centre one, were keen to do it.

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"I posted on the Monday, spoke to them on the Tuesday and they had the full unit installed by Thursday."

With over 600 children and 200 adults using the facility every week, wants to ensure users – and local residents – are aware of the new life-saving equipment.

"I know how stretched the emergency services are right now even though a cardiac arrest takes priority. It is good to have it there close to the estates and where the football teams are training," he added.

"It has been highlighted quite a lot professional footballers and youth footballers who have suffered heart attacks so for us, it is important to have that kind of equipment in place.

"Because it has been donated by the British Heart Foundation, it has been registered with the British Heart Foundation and the Scottish Ambulance Service which makes it public access.

"It is on the national pubic access defibrillator grid so if there's a 999 call from down there, the ambulance service will give the location and the access code to the gate at the Fleet Grounds. It is important that the public know about it."