A day of sporting tournaments and exercise classes in Soham raised thousands for life saving equipment.

Ely Standard: Ross Peers Sporrts Centre hold a defib day and raise more than £3,000Ross Peers Sporrts Centre hold a defib day and raise more than £3,000 (Image: Archant)

The Ross Peers Sports Centre held a ‘defib day’ which raised £3,876.82 for a defibrillator on the outside of the building.

Fund raising was given a boost thanks to the Liam Fairhurst Foundation, the East Cambs Roller Hockey Association and Soham United charity fund.

A defibrillator costs around £2,000 to buy and install so the extra raised will mean they have funds set aside for replacement pads and battery.

A centre spokesman said: “Instructors gave up their time for free. It is a great amount raised, we are very pleased.”

The centre ran:

• An under 13’s roller hockey tournament.

• A five-a-side football tournament.

• A bowls drive.

• Exercise classes during the day including spinning, tai chi, boot camp, HIIT and Pilates.

Each year 80,000 to 100,000 people suffer a cardiac arrest in public in the UK.

The spokesman added: “We want a defibrillator for the sports centre to ensure that should it ever be needed then we’ve the best possible chance of saving someone’s life.”