A life-saving defibrillator will be officially unveiled at Old Basing Tennis Club next week.

The invaluable tool, which could save the life of someone having a heart attack, can be used by tennis players, allotment holders and anyone using this area of Old Basing.

Mayor of Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council Onnalee Cubitt will unveil the defibrillator at 7pm on Friday, May 6.

A defibrillator is a device that gets someone’s heart going again if it has stopped. This life saving equipment will give that person the best possible chance of survival if their heart is not working. It can be used by anyone, even if they are not medically trained, through simple instructions.

Given the location of Old Basing Tennis Club on Riley Lane, next to the recreation ground, busy allotments and footpaths, the club committee said it wanted to provide this life-saving equipment and promote health and well-being to club members and the local community.

Last year the club started to raise the £1,600 needed to buy and install the defibrillator. It raised £500 through the club’s popular annual quiz held last November and the Christmas dinner.

Following an awareness campaign amongst 120 plus members, the adjacent allotment tenants and local Old Basing residents, the club was able to raise the remaining £1,100. Local companies, people and club members donated money, while it also received a large anonymous donation from one local resident.

Nigel Hatt, the club’s chairman, said: “We realised that our tennis club was in the perfect location to site a defibrillator that would benefit not only our club members but also the many hundreds of people who use the recreation ground, allotments and footpaths.

“Following the generosity of many people and well attended fund raising events, we achieved our goal of fitting a defibrillator to the outside of our clubhouse within a few months.

“We are delighted to have the Mayor of Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council, Councillor Onnalee Cubitt and her consort, who also represents the Basing and Upton Grey Ward as well as other Old Basing Parish Councillors and our tennis playing members to help us celebrate the unveiling of this excellent life-saving equipment and community facility.”

A barbeque will be held after the unveiling to continue the celebrations.

Old Basing Tennis Club is over 90 years old and is a key community asset and facility for the benefit of residents of Old Basing and those from around the borough, where people come to play tennis, keep fit, enjoy the open air and beautiful surroundings and make new friends.

The club boasts over 120 members, has two coaches giving lessons for adults, and has men’s, ladies’ and mixed tennis teams who play in the Basingstoke league.

Club nights when anyone can turn up and get a game, are on Tuesdays and Fridays from 6pm and on Sunday mornings from 10am. Courts can be booked for play using a handy App at any other time.

The four hard tennis courts were resurfaced and repainted last year, giving an excellent playing surface which is a joy to play on at any time of year.

For more information about how to join Old Basing Tennis Club, visit the club website or Facebook page or email obtc.information@gmail.com.