EMERGENCY first aid equipment for a hospice has been bought using a charity grant.

Willow Burn Hospice, near Lanchester, was given funding of £8,000 by the Gannett Foundation, the charitable arm of The Northern Echo’s parent company.

The money has been used to buy two defibrillators, an evacuation chair and a two first aid and resuscitation trolleys.

They will be used by staff in the event of an emergency on patients, visitors, staff and volunteers.

Fundraiser Gill Adams said: “These items of life-saving equipment could be crucial to ensuring the safety of vulnerable people at a very sensitive and emotional time.”

The equipment was sourced at cost price by MRS Training and Rescue, formally Mines Rescue Service, based in Houghton-le-Spring, which is also training staff how to use it free of charge.

MRS operations manager Gary Williams said: “We are very happy to be supporting Willow Burn in this way.

“We are pleased to be able to share our skills and expertise with the staff and give them the skills, knowledge and confidence to use what they have been taught should a real emergency situation occur.”

Diane Morgan, day hospice co-ordinator of therapies, added: “We are thrilled with the award from the Gannett Foundation and the fact that MRS has been able to secure the equipment for us at cost, while also providing free training.”