THE Mayor of East Cheshire joined staff and children at day nursery Monkey Puzzle to celebrate the installation of a life-saving public access defibrillator for use by the community.

The device, which is registered with North West Ambulance Service, is on the outside wall of the nursery in Hawthorn Lane, Wilmslow, and is available for use by Monkey Puzzle staff, emergency services and the community, 24 hours a day.

The nursery team raised more than £1,500 for the equipment, which brings the total number of defibrillators in Wilmslow to 13.

The Monkey Puzzlers’ fundraising saw them take part in a sponsored Mount Snowdon climb last summer, along with book sales and raffles.

Liz Butterworth, Monkey Puzzle’s owner, said: “The safety and security of our children is of paramount importance, and as all our nursery staff are fully trained in paediatric first aid it made sense to have a life-saving defibrillator on site at all times.

“We’re also ideally placed in the heart of Wilmslow so that it can be called upon if someone was to have a sudden cardiac arrest around the Grove Street pedestrianised area and surrounding streets.

“I’m immensely proud of the team here who have gone to such great lengths to raise funds – our Snowdon climb is something we won’t forget in a hurry!

“I’d also like to say a huge thank you to Buy T-shirts online, who sponsored the electrical installation of our defibrillator.

“We are delighted to be able to provide this essential life-saving equipment for our children, their families and people living in our town.”

Cllr Barry Burkhill, Mayor of Cheshire East, said: “I’m delighted to be able to celebrate with Liz and her team of Monkey Puzzlers.

“Their fundraising efforts are hugely appreciated by the people of Wilmslow and it is wonderful to know there is a much-needed defibrillator located here in such a central location should it be called upon.

“We are thrilled to see young children getting involved with their community and learning about these life-saving devices.”