GHA committee member Maggie Nelson and tenant Margaret McQuade joined local butcher Donnie Shaw in Balornock to urge more people to learn how to use a defibrillator.

Donnie, of Shaw the Butcher on Wallacewell Road, has a defibrillator outside his shop dedicated to a local teenager, Marc Hegarty, who died of a heart attack.

A defibrillator is a life-saving piece of equipment which applies an electric current to help get the heart going. It can save the life of someone who has had a heart attack.

Donnie said: “We did a lot of fundraising for the defibrillator and the community really rallied round. All our staff have been trained in using it.

“I’ve had to use it once – but thankfully the man regained consciousness. It’s a really important. People are delighted it’s there.”

Maggie Nelson, from Barmulloch, has been a volunteer first aider for 40 years.

She said: “I would love to see more defibrillators in community centres, schools and other places.

“Anyone from a toddler to a 90-year-old can use one. It’s really easy to learn – and it’s so important.

“I’ve even been teaching my great grandchildren to use one.”

Margaret McQuade added: “Defibrillators save lives. It is such a vital piece of equipment.

“It’s great that this shop has one and it’s there for the public to use in an emergency.”

To learn how to use a defibrillator, people can contact the British Red Cross on 0844 871 8000 or by emailing firstaidtraining@redcross.org.uk.

St Andrew’s First Aid can also be contacted on 0141 332 4031or by emailing info@firstaid.org.uk.