The Council is offering up to £250 towards the equipment and is working with Leicestershire heart charity the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust (JHMT).

The charity, set up in memory of Rothley teenager Joe Humphries who was a victim of sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS), campaigns to increase the number of defibrillators and raise awareness of SADS.

Cllr Deborah Taylor, lead member for communities, safety and wellbeing at the council, said: "We are delighted to be working with the trust and would encourage clubs to apply for a sports grant towards the cost of a defibrillator. It could ultimately save someone's life.

"These defibrillators would not only help people at sports clubs but would also be available to use for the wider community."

Steve Humphries, chair of the JHMT, said: "It's fantastic news that Charnwood Borough Council is now opening up its sports grants to help fund public access defibrillators in community sports facilities.

"This is a vital step to help accelerate the number of Charnwood-based sports clubs and groups that will be better equipped in case of a cardiac emergency.

"Joe's trust works to equip our local communities to change the shocking statistics around sudden heart death which can strike anyone, anywhere and anytime.

"Tragically, this includes at least 12 seemingly fit and healthy young people aged 12-35 each week, who die in Britain from undiagnosed genetic heart problems like sudden arrhythmic death syndrome.

"Ensuring a defibrillator is readily available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, is a vital step towards creating a heartsafe sporting and community environment."

A defibrillator typically costs around £1,000.

The Council has amended its sports grants scheme to allow applications of up to £250 for defibrillators. Applications for the next round of grants need to be submitted by July 24. The deadline for the following round is October 2.

For more information and to apply, visit www.charnwood.gov.uk/sports_facilities_grant

Play Sport, Play HEART SAFE: - Please note- This C.B.C. grant is in addition to JHMT providing vital advice and guidance on how to acquire and site an AED, including a grant towards an AED box, so the defib' if then feasible to do so becomes accessible to the local community 24/07 + the offer of free Joe's Mini HeartStart for Sports clubs - CPR and AED familiarisation training. For further information contact Charles Poole at email: jhmt.@jhmt.org.uk

In addition, Charnwood based community cricket clubs can also benefit from a further £250 grant boost from the Leicestershire Cricket Leagues towards an AED – for further details contact Andy Hibberd: LCC Cricket Development Officer - Clubs & Leagues -mailto:-AndrewHibberd@leicestershirecricket.co.uk

Leicester City Sports and Physical Activity Grants 2018 – the sports facilities grant provides funding up to £500 and also funding support for those city based sports clubs looking to become heart safe by siting and incorporating a public access defibrillator within their facilities – for further details go to: https://www.leicester.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/sport-and-leisure/other-sports/sports-development/funding/ & https://www.leicester.gov.uk/media/184693/sport-grants-booklet-march-2018.pdf

Working as ONE to create a HEART SAFE sporting and community environment for ALL across Leicestershire and Leicester.