A British Heart Foundation (BHF) Cymru Narberth fundraising branch has provided 100 per cent funding for a new life-saving piece of equipment for the town's Queen's Hall.

The new defibrillator, funded from BHF's Cymru's No Time to Wait appeal, will be placed outside the hall. The defibrillator casing costing over £600 was provided by the members of the Narberth and Whitland Round Table.

The No Time to Wait Appeal has been and continues to raise money to train more people in emergency life-support skills and to place many more defibrillators (AEDs) in locations across Wales with help from the Welsh Ambulance Service.

Gary Blount from the Queen's Hall In Narberth said: "We are so glad to have the defibrillator as we consider it to be an essential life-saving piece of equipment. We would like to thank Narberth BHF Cymru fundraising branch for raising funds that provided us with the defibrillator as well as the Narberth and Whitland Round Table for providing the casing so that the defibrillator can be placed outside and can be accessible to everyone at all times in the event of an emergency."

Ian Gravell, chairman of Narberth and Whitland Round Table, said: "We were delighted to help with this."

Currently only about 10 per cent of people survive an out of hospital cardiac arrest, but this appeal could change that. The BHF would love to hear from more people locally who can come on board to really achieve more with this appeal. With more people in Wales trained in emergency life-support skills and more AEDs available locally, the chances of resuscitating someone from a cardiac arrest should be greatly improved. Having more defibrillators available locally for these emergencies is crucial to saving more lives. It is also vitally important that people are trained in emergency life-support skills. These are paramount in improving the chances of a cardiac arrest victim until professional help arrives.

Gethin Bateman, patient safety manager, said: "The defibrillator placed outside in a central position will allow the community to assist in providing a prompt and effective response in a life-threatening emergency."

Ralph Dunbar, BHF Cymru Narberth branch chairman, said: "We are so glad that the money raised from the appeal has provided a defibrillator for the Queen's Hall in Narberth. We raised the money by organising collections, a coffee morning, and a comedy night and helping out with car run events in the area. I would like to thank the local community for supporting the branch events."

Defibrillators need to be available in areas of greatest risk - areas where there is a high incidence of cardiac arrest and in areas where it is difficult for an ambulance to get there quickly. This is particularly important in Wales, where many people live in rural areas.

To donate to the appeal, text SWLA99 to 70070 to donate £5, or to make a donation by phone, call 02920 382368 quoting 'There's No Time To Wait Appeal'.

If you'd like to organise a fundraising event to help raise money to fund equipment for local use, please contact Jayne Lewis BHF Cymru fundraising volunteer manager, on 01554 891 500 or [email protected]">[email protected]