THOUSANDS of pounds worth of loose change from intu Trafford Centre’s fountains has been collected and used to support life-saving equipment in Trafford primary schools.

In just 11 months, 11 defibrillators have been funded and delivered to Hand on Heart’s Trafford campaign area – after the charities volunteers cleaned up £11,616 worth of coins.

The last school in the campaign area to receive a funded defibrillator a package was presented to Park Road Sale Primary School this week, with the school council on hand to receive it.

Claire Walmsley, head teacher at Park Road Sale Primary School, said: “Defibrillators are incredibly important in schools and will go a long way in significantly reducing the number of people who die every year from cardiac arrest. Thank you to Hand on Heart and all the shoppers at intu Trafford Centre who donated to their fountains – your support means a lot.”

Victoria Burrows, chief executive from Hand on Heart Charity, said: “We are extremely thankful for the support from the intu Trafford centre fountain fund and delighted that we have been able to create our second heart safe campaign area."

Hand on Heart is one of three local charities to benefit from the coins donated to intu Trafford Centre’s fountains, alongside Breast Cancer Care north-west and bereavement support charity Once Upon A Smile.

Three chosen charities work alongside the centre for two years, often raising more than £70,000 collectively.