An Ipswich pub has installed a life-saving defibrillator after a customer's medical emergency sparked an ambulance callout.

The Woolpack, in Tuddenham Road outside Christchurch Park, purchased the equipment after managing to fundraise more than £1,800 in just a week.

Landlord Marita Rodwell said she hopes the defibrillator is never used – but is glad it is there should it be required.

Ipswich Star: The Woolpack in Tuddenham Road, IpswichThe Woolpack in Tuddenham Road, Ipswich (Image: Lucy Taylor)

Miss Rodwell revealed the drive to install the defibrillator started a year ago after a pub-goer collapsed in the toilets at the Woolpack due to a brain aneurysm.

Staff and fellow customers managed to bring him to the main pub area, but Becky Godbold, an advanced nurse practitioner who happened to be there at the time, feared he may go into cardiac arrest.

Ambulances eventually arrived and the man has since made a full recovery, but Miss Rodwell said she made it her mission to ensure life-saving equipment is on hand in case a similar incident happened in future.

A number of Ipswich businesses contributed prizes to a raffle hosted by the pub, which made up a large part of the £1,800 needed to fit out the defibrillator.

Inga Lockington, Ipswich borough councillor for the area, also contributed to the cause.

Ipswich Star: Sarah Bowles, Becky Godbold and Marita Rodwell with the equipmentSarah Bowles, Becky Godbold and Marita Rodwell with the equipment (Image: Woolpack)

It was delivered in November by Heartbeat East Suffolk, but was only installed this month to allow for pub staff to undergo training.

Miss Rodwell said: "Before the ambulance arrived, there was nothing to help.

"I contacted loads of local businesses to see if they would like to help, and they contributed prizes to our raffle.

"It wasn't just the Woolpack raising the money – it was the whole community.

Ipswich Star: Marita Rodwell of the Woolpack pubMarita Rodwell of the Woolpack pub (Image: Archant)

"It's quite easy to use, but we hope we never have to use it."

Tim Ryan, an Ipswich insurance broker who contributed to the raffle, said: "The Woolpack sits at the heart of the community and Marita’s investment in a defibrillator is a fabulous thing to do for us.

"These things save lives."