A YOUNG Wirral fundraiser has helped her local football team move one step closer to having their first life-saving defibrillator.

Zahra Wilkinson, 11, nominated AC Hoylake Junior Football Club for a national community sponsorship programme "Force for Good."

The project saw 12 community projects win a grant of £250.

Zahra said: “The £250 grant will help me reach my goal of £1,000 and it will be used to buy the defibrillator which has the potential to save young lives.

“Sudden Arrhythmic Death System (SADS), is often undiagnosed and causes cardiac arrests to happen at any time especially in young people. The majority suffer cardiac arrests whilst exercising. If I get funding I can save lives.”

The defibrillator will be provided by the Oliver King Foundation, who will also give training to the club So far, Zahra has completed a sponsored cycle from Meols to Chester and has held a cake sale to raise this money.

A defibrillator is an electric device used to provide a shock to the heart to bring the rhythm back to a safe speed, they can potentially save a person’s life.

This year’s "Force for Good" initiative, funded by the Police Mutual Foundation, will award £100,000 to local projects in spring and autumn, the second of which will happen in September.

Police Mutual’s chief executive, Stephen Mann, said: “Now in its second year, it’s great to see even more members of the police Family stepping forward to reward causes they feel improve lives within their communities.

“In many cases these see police officers, staff and specials themselves actively contributing their time to worthy courses outside of their professional police work, which is fantastic to see.”

“We have been staggered and delighted by both the quantity and quality of applications received, 1,377 this time."