A FUN night for children has been organised to help police with the serious job of saving lives.

Officers from Stanley are raising money to install vital defibrillators in the heart of three communities in their area.

So far, they have installed two, one at Stanley Police Station and another at Catchgate Police Station, but now need to raise £1,250 to install a third at South Moor.

A family fun night is to take place at Krazy Kingdom, on Greencroft Industrial Park, near Annfield Plain on Thursday, April 18.

From 6pm to 8pm, children will be able to enjoy two hours of soft play as well as raffles, tombola, hook-a-duck, name the bunny competition and an emergency services dress-up, as well as First Aid demonstrations by North East Ambulance Service.

Organisers hope to raise enough money in one fun-packed night to pay for the latest lifesaving defibrillator to be installed, along with the vital weatherproof cabinet which will make sure it’s ready to use, night or day.

Just before Christmas, the first defibrillator was installed at Stanley Police Station, with help from Derwentside Rotary Club, the Spot rally club, local police and Pact House.

A second was installed several weeks ago at Catchgate Police Station, with help from Catchgate FC, Catchgate Partnership and local councillors.

In recent months, dozens of local residents have been taught potentially vital lifesaving skills with basic First Aid training sessions at Pact House.

Sergeant Dave Clarke, from Stanley Neighbourhood Police Team, said: “Each of the police stations is at the heart of the community, which matters at a time when minutes are precious.

“If you can get a defibrillator to someone within 12 minutes of a cardiac arrest, their chances of survival increase dramatically, so it can be a lifesaver.

“As police officers, we have seen how effective these devices can be in an emergency and we would love it if members of the community got involved and supported our latest fund raising event”.

Admission is £5 per child and adults go free. Any surplus money raised after the defibrillator has been paid for will go to the Durham Police Autism Association

Tickets are on sale at Stanley Police Station, at Pact House and Krazy Kingdom.