Cafe with 600,000 visitors a year near Eastbourne receives potentially life-saving funds

Gemma Mantell and Simeon Marsh, National Trust; Ian and Pat Hodgson, Janet Dearnley, Clare Pont, Pam Bott, Eastbourne National Trust Association

Eastbourne National Trust Association chose the National Trust café at Birling Gap to benefit from the grant - the beauty spot café has an estimated 600,000 visitors every year.

Ian Hodgson, chairman of the National Trust Eastbourne Associaion, said, “We believe that to have a defibrillator on site at Birling Gap will be beneficial in case a medical emergency should arise.

“Everyone is delighted this project has been accomplished. The Eastbourne Association has been incredibly generous supporters.”

A British Heart Foundation spokesperson said, “To effectively help someone who is in cardiac arrest, a defibrillator needs to be found as quickly as possible.

“For every minute it takes for the defibrillator to reach someone and deliver a shock, their chances of survival reduce by up to 10 per cent.

“You don’t need to be trained to use a defibrillator – anyone can use it. Having a defibrillator at Birling Gap could help someone in need and could save a life.”