VILLAGERS have raised nearly £1,000 for a defibrillator.

Hillend community club have raised £880 through calendar sales, home baking, and donations.

Member Tony Connor said: “As a community club, prior to COVID, we had village meetings every two or three months and one of the villagers who worked in the NHS suggested a defibrillator.

“Previously, you could go to the British Heart Foundation to get funding but that went by the wayside during COVID.

“We have done three calendars, the first one to fund VE Day memorial celebrations and the second to replace a bench which had been bought by an old community group.

“We should be able to re-apply to the British Heart Foundation now but we are not that far away – another £500 or £600 would get us there.”

It's not all been plain sailing though and the club still face issues with the installation of the defibrillator.

He said: “We have two obstacles, the first is that there is no site agreed, though there are three which would be suitable.

“The second problem is that for outdoor defibrillators you need a case and a fan which costs extra.

“Over the next six months, we should reach our total through fundraising.

“Our first village event was in the summer, if we even have one more meeting, I think we will find the rest of the money.

“We are looking to have an event in the spring to get the kids out of their houses.

“There will be nothing till springtime; it is impossible to organise anything at the moment.”

For now, the club is focusing on things like calendar sales, they have sold 90 out of the 100 they had printed, and they have also been busy raising money to finance Christmas decorations.

An event with Dunfermline Choral Union recently with a raffle, mulled wine, and mice pies, raised £276 to light up the village.

As part of the event, people were also asked to bring along a donation for the local foodbank and 25 bags of items were donated.

Tony said: “We like to do things in the community and get things anyone in the village has the opportunity to use.

“There are more elderly people in the village than young but anyone could need a defibrillator at any time.”