A LIFELINE was unveiled to a community in memory of a young man whose life was cut short.

Andrew Bird, of Holborn Hill, Millom, died in September last year after getting into difficulty when he fell into the river at Haverigg.

The 27-year-old’s death shocked the town but residents came together to leave a lifesaving legacy.

Jenny Brumby, of Millom Health Action Group, teamed up with community paramedic, Claire Morris, to install the defibrillator, which was officially opened by Mr Bird’s parents, Cheryl and John. Mrs Bird said: “Jenny rang and asked if we would like to open it in memory of Andrew and I agreed straight away.

“If what happened to Andrew brings awareness about what defibrillators can do then it’s something positive.

“You never know when someone might keel over in front of you and being able to do something instead of nothing makes a real difference.”

Mrs Brumby decided to secure a defibrillator for Haverigg to help protect the lives of more people in the area.

She said: “When Andrew Bird tragically died last year, Millom Health Action Group decided that they would like to raise some money to get a defibrillator for Haverigg.

“We hope no-one will ever have to use the lifesaving equipment but it is there to support if they do. We will be working with NWAS to put on more training and would like to thank everyone who has been involved.”

Friends and family of Mr and Mrs Bird gathered at Haverigg Working Men’s Club, in Main Street, on Saturday afternoon to see the unveiling of the defibrillator, which was donated by the North West Ambulance Service, before learning how to use it and taking part in a first aid class.

Mrs Bird said: “The day went really, really well. It was nice to see people there – people who knew Andrew and were there for him if he was ever bullied.

“Andrew would be absolutely over the moon to see this. We felt like he was with us on Saturday.

“He wouldn’t want to miss out on a party. He would have got involved straight away – he just loved helping people.”