SCHOOLS, sports clubs and community groups have been given the gift of life as another 33 defibrillators were donated by a campaign group.

Bolton Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator (ICD) Support Group handed over the life saving machines during a presentation evening at the Kings Centre in Breightmet.

The group has now achieved its goal of giving out 100 defibrillators to organisations in Bolton after continuing to raise funds by holding charity events, and chief fundraiser Tracey Wilkinson said she was delighted with the achievement.

She said: "It is fantastic, because you see so much on the news recently about people having heart problems, and if they would have had a defibrillator there, it could have saved their life.

"We have had incidents in Bolton where I know of people who have had a defibrillator used on them, and they are still here to tell the tale.

"It is great that we have got so many all around Bolton now, hopefully they will make the difference and save lives."

Those being presented with defibrillators on the night included Turton FC, Westhoughton Park Bowling Club, Beaumont Primary School and Bolton Family Church.

All organisations awarded with a defibrillator had registered their interest, and were put on an waiting list.

The gift of a defibrillator has special meaning for Turton FC, as one of their players, Joe Jackson, had to have a heart transplant last year after suffering from a hereditary heart problem.

Dave Yates, vice-chairman of Turton FC, said: "On the back of that happening to such a young, fit lad, we wanted to get a defibrillator and we are delighted that we have been able to."

Other groups to be gifted defibrillators were Bowness Community Primary School, Breightmet Wanderers FC, Bromley Cross Village Hall, Castle Hill Primary School, Church Road Primary School, Eagley Park Bowling Club.

Mrs Wilkinson, from Stoneclough, lost her father to heart disease.

Mark Eden was one of the founding members of the group, and a defibrillator was used to support his heart for five years, but he died at the age of 47.

She has continued the campaign in his memory, and it gained more impetus after Bolton Wanderers star Fabrice Muamba's life was saved by a defibrillator..