A DEFRIBILLATOR supplied by a community fund set up in memory of a much-loved father-of-two has saved a life.

David Nelson, a 61-year-old builder from Hill End in Frosterley, near Stanhope, died in January 2015 after suffering a heart attack.

His loved ones were determined to prevent other families’ experiencing such a tragic loss, and launched a community fund to provide lifesaving medical equipment for isolated communities in Weardale.

Since its launch two years ago, The David Nelson Memorial Fund has secured 18 defibrillators, located from Cowshill to Wolsingham, and earlier this month one of those machines helped save a life.

Although the defibrillators have been deployed many times over the past two years when people have experienced chest pains and heart attack symptoms, this is the first time one has played such a crucial role.

Mr Nelson’s daughter, Gillian Hutchinson who runs the fund with her sister-in-law Alison Nelson, said: “When we first found out we felt a great sense of emotional relief. This is what the memorial fund was set up to do and we are so pleased one of our defibrillators was able to help.

“We would like to wish the person involved a speedy recovery.”

As well as fundraising for the equipment, the David Nelson Memorial Fund has also teamed up with the North East Ambulance Service to stage defibrillator training and awareness sessions.

To date, 400 people, aged from six to 80, have completed the sessions.

To find out more about The David Nelson Memorial Fund, including upcoming training sessions and fundraising events, search for it on Facebook.