By Sarah Newstead

Published at 05:40, Friday, 22 August 2008

THE sponsors of the Active Communities award have donated funds towards equipment to help save lives on Cumbria’s fells.

HF Holidays, which is backing the Cumbria Community Awards, has given £1,500 from its Pathways Fund towards a defibrillator for Coniston Mountain Rescue Team.

The machine will help any walkers and holidaymakers who suffer a heart attack while out on the hills.

Bob Henson, Coniston Mountain Rescue Team spokesman, said the defibrillator was an extremely valuable tool that would undoubtedly save lives.

He added: “This is a very important piece of equipment for the team which will not only save lives but also help diagnose whether or not someone has actually suffered a heart attack.”

HF Holidays Pathway Fund is supported by donations from customers. It has raised more than £170,000 in the last 10 years to help both mountain rescue teams and the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers improve footpaths and signage in beauty spots across the country.

Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk