A FAMILY who have worked tirelessly to raise money for defibrillators to be installed across Teesside in memory of a beloved father-of-four have donated the life saving equipment to the people of Billingham.

John Clayton was only 43 when he collapsed shortly after playing in a charity football match in April 2010 and since then members of his family - including his brother Peter and Peter's wife Lisa - raised thousands of pounds for the Arrhythmia Alliance's Hearts & Goals campaign to buy automated external defibrillators (AEDs).

The family were supported by St Modwen, which owns and manages Billingham Town Centre, and two defibrillators have been installed, one next to the TSB branch in the Town Square and another outside Fultons Foods on Queensway.

The family say that if a defibrillator had been present at the time of the cardiac arrest John would have had a 50 per cent chance of survival and they have held charity football matches and fundraising nights to pay for a total of seven defibrillators across Teesside.

Peter Clayton, John’s brother, said: “Defibrillators are a crucial piece of emergency equipment, which can save many lives. We are very proud of our fundraising efforts but we are particularly proud to be putting a defibrillator into Billingham town centre, our home town.”

Tony Donnelly, Billingham Town Centre Manager, said: “Tens of thousands of people suffer cardiac arrests each year and having access to a public access defibrillator can really make a difference to their lives. St. Modwen is pleased to be supporting such a worthwhile initiative.”

Defibrillators are linked to the emergency services, so should anyone ever have need to call 999 and ask for an ambulance, the operator will direct the caller to one of the defibrillators and provide instructions on how to set up the device. The machine is then automated and ready to use.

The Clayton family have fundraising websites on Facebook and justgiving.com and have often told the story of John, who left behind a wife and four children, aged eight to 17, as well as his parents and two younger brothers and sisters.

Mr Clayton, a season ticket holder at Middlesbrough FC, was from Billingham and worked as manager at the Royal Mail in Stockton before studying part time to earn a law degree. He was heavily involved in charity work himself, including running the Great North Run as a nun. He had played a charity football match on the day of his death and had a heart attack related to a blood clot. He had been given a clean bill of health from a works health check just three months previously.

Other AEDS have been placed at Billingham Football Club, where the family hold charity football matches, Billingham Rugby Club and Billingham Golf Club.

Find out more at justgiving.com/johnclayton2015/