BBC Look North presenter, Carol Malia, has handed over a piece of life-saving kit to a Hexham school.

The portable defibrillator has been donated to Hexham Priory School, where pupils aged two to 19 have severe or profound and multiple learning difficulties.

The defibrillator is one of three bought from the fund-raising efforts of Stocksfield-based JS Parker Ltd (JSP) which specialises in working with people who have suffered brain and spinal injuries.

Case manager Bel Smith said: “It’s brilliant that the school now has a defibrillator – its presence could be a real lifesaver – we just hope it never has to be used.”

Rob Chambers, from Hadrian Safety Training, volunteered to provide training to Hexham Priory School, offering key members of staff essential training in operating the defibrillator.

Fund-raising activities included a cake raffle, cake sales and a mince pie afternoon.

Sarah Harrison, regional manager for JSP in the North-East and case manager Gillian Thompson, donned their trainers and were sponsored to complete the Great North Run and two triathlons respectively.

Debbie Simpson, a client of JSP, raised an impressive £222 by holding a raffle organised by her support worker, Mini Scott.

Recipients of the other two defibrillators will be Durham-based charity Heel & Toe and the Darlington and District branch of national charity Headway.

JSP’s North-East team raised £1,332 to purchase the three defibrillators, with assistance from charity North East Hearts with Goals, who provided a £100 donation towards each machine.