TWO life-saving initiatives have been launched - thanks to local fundraising efforts.

First Responder schemes have been set up in the Stokesley and Hutton Rudby areas to help fight back against one of the country's biggest killers.

The Rotary Club of Stokesley, in conjunction with the British Heart Foundation, raised money to buy two defibrillators, which administer an electric shock to help re-start a heart back into a regular rhythm.

The equipment is being used by two groups of community-based volunteers who are activated by Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service to respond to emergencies prior to the arrival of an ambulance.

Retired Owen Searle, of Hutton Rudby, is the team leader of the First Responder schemes in his home village and Stokesley.

He said: "Community-based First Responders can reach patients quicker than an ambulance, and in such cases where a defibrillator and oxygen is required, it gives the patient a better chance of survival as early access is the key."

The project was initiated by the Rotary Club, which has been championing the benefit of defibrillators in the community for a number of years.

The group raised thousands of pounds for the life-saving equipment and helped to organise a public meeting to recruit volunteers for First Responder Schemes.

The Hutton Rudby volunteers are Owen Searle, Mike Holmes, Julie Saxton, Julia Walker and Joanne Flood. Shirley-Ann Widlf is the group co-ordinator.

The Stokesley volunteers are co-ordinator Gerry Kennedy, Lynne Martin and Sue and Phil Wardle.

The scheme co-ordinator for Tenyas, Steve Harrison, said: "They will be a great asset to their local communities."