A NATIONAL charity has today pledged to offer its money and support to a new Evening Star campaign to help save lives.This week The Evening Star and the East of England Ambulance Service have launched the Spend A Little, Save a Life, campaign to highlight the importance of defibrillators - machines that can restart the heart following a cardiac arrest.

A NATIONAL charity has today pledged to offer its money and support to a new Evening Star campaign to help save lives.

This week The Evening Star and the East of England Ambulance Service have launched the Spend A Little, Save a Life, campaign to highlight the importance of defibrillators - machines that can restart the heart following a cardiac arrest.

The Star offered to give £10 each towards a defibrillator to the first 20 companies that take up the challenge.

Now, the cardiac charity, Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome UK, is offering to put another £50 into the kitty.

With thousands of people suffering cardiac arrests a year, the campaign is calling for defibrillators to be installed in public places such as schools and workplaces. At a cost of just £1,500, it is a small price to pay to save a life.

Automated External Defibrillators (known as defibs) are easy to use with voice prompts giving simple instructions to the person using the equipment. The quicker it is used and a therapeutic electric shock is administered, the better the chances of survival.

Anne Jolly, founder and chairman of SADS UK, based in Essex, said: “When someone suffers a cardiac arrest defibrillation is essential to restore their heartbeat. Having a defibrillator immediately at hand to assist can greatly improve their chance of survival.

“SADS UK works to place defibrillators in schools, colleges and workplaces and fully endorses the campaign to get lifesaving heart equipment in all of Suffolk's busiest places.”

An Early Day Motion tabled in Parliament to urge Government to provide AEDs in all schools has also gained a lot of backing.

SADS UK aims to prevent Sudden Cardiac Death in adults and children. It supports those living with cardiac conditions of the conduction system and helps those who have been bereaved through a SAD.

If you would like to contact the charity, call 01277 811215 or visit www.sadsuk.org

Has a defibrillator saved your life? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.

Between 80,000 and 120,000 people suffer a cardiac arrest in the UK each year.