Ebbw Vale Football Club is set to install a life-saving defibrillator at its ground after receiving a funding boost from Persimmon Homes.

Persimmon Homes East Wales has contributed £1,000 to help the club add the equipment to its Hilltop Stadium home.

The ground is used by multiple sports and schools and club bosses want to ensure a defibrillator is available just the need ever arise.

Defibrillators are devices that restore a normal heartbeat by sending an electric pulse or shock to the heart. They can also restore the heart's beating if the heart suddenly stops.

David Matthews, of the club, said: “We are extremely grateful to Persimmon Homes for this generous donation.”

“A defibrillator costs around £1,500 so this grant, along with our own fundraising, means we can make the purchase.”

“Our ground is used by so many people we believe it is a question of when, rather than if, it will be needed.”

“There is a chance that this piece of equipment could save someone’s life, so it’s well worth having.”

It’s vital to have a defibrillator close by as for every minute it takes to deliver a shock, the patient’s chances of survival reduce by up to 10 per cent.

Victoria Williams, sales director at Persimmon Homes East Wales, said: “We’re delighted to be able to support the football club with this grant.”

“We hope that the defibrillator never has to be used but, if someone does have a cardiac arrest while playing sport at their facility, it might just save their life.”

“It’s another example of how our Community Champions scheme is leaving a lasting legacy across South Wales.”

Persimmon has started work on a £29m project to build 277 houses on the former Ebbw Vale Comprehensive School and College site.

The development is known as Carn y Cefn and househunters can register an interest now to be kept up-to-date with progress and when the first homes are released for sale.

Visit www.persimmonhomes.com for more information, or www.persimmonhomes.com/charity to apply for funding.