Life-saving equipment has been handed out to five West Cumbrian sports clubs in memory of a former Wath Brow rugby player.

The Gavin Curwen Heart Screening Foundation raised £15,000 to fund defibrillators for Cleator Cricket Club, Egremont RU, Ellenborough Rangers ARLFC, Egremont Rangers ARLFC and Egremont Cricket Club.

Gavin, 40, who was assistant coach for Wath Brow Hornet's open-age rugby league side, died suddenly in February last year.

The defibrillators were presented to representatives from each club at an event on Sunday.

Speaking at the event, Wath Brow's Ian Rooney said: "We never envisaged it would be this successful but it's a measure of what Gav meant to not just his family and this club but to the wider community."

He said the support from the community had been "nothing short of fantastic".

"We're really proud of what we've done and proud of the clubs we're giving these to," he added."You've done things in your own right for the Gavin Curwen Heart Screening Foundation.

"We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

"If we save one person's life then the Gavin Curwen Heart Screening Foundation has done exactly what it's set up to do.

"It gives us some solace, seeing what this foundation is creating for everyone."

Fundraising included a charity night, with a raffle and an auction, while William McDonald, with friends, completed the 30-mile Workington to Keswick Charity Walk for the cause.

Donations were also made to the foundation in memory of Gavin's uncle Keith Davison, who passed away earlier this year.

Four defibrillators have been handed out as Egremont Rangers and nearby Egremont Cricket will share one.

After the money was raised, Gavin's partner Lynda Butterworth and son Samuel thanked everyone for their support over the past year.

"If this work saves just one life, either through heart screening sessions or use of a defibrillator, the foundation is doing what it should and we will be happy," they said.

Hensingham ARLFC has also supported the foundation from day one, raising its own money to buy a defibrillator.