A LIFESAVING defibrillator has been presented to a cricket club in memory of a dad who died from a heart attack during a match.

Charity Welsh Hearts made the donation to Blackwood Town Cricket Club after £1,740 was raised through a JustGiving memorial page in memory Hywel Evans by his son, Rhodri.

Mr Evans was a mentor and coach at the club, as well as the second team captain, but died aged 43, while playing against Rogerstone Cricket Club, in 2006.

In a day celebrating his life and legacy, members of the club were given professional training from Welsh Hearts, including defibrillator demonstrations and CPR sessions with dummies.

Gareth Berry, of Blackwood Town Cricket Club, said he fondly remembered Mr Evans’ “sense of humour, cutting wit and words of encouragement for the youngsters”.

“The whole cricket club was in a shock and there’s a Hywel sized hole in Blackwood Town Cricket Club that will never be filled,” he said.

“The greatest compliment I can pay Rhodri in raising this money for the defibrillator in his dad’s memory is to say that Hywel would have been very proud of him.”

Frank Ady, who presented the defibrillator on behalf of Welsh Hearts added: “I can’t think of a more fitting way to honour Hywel.

“The effort that Rhodri and his friends and family have put in to raising the funds for this life saving equipment has been outstanding.”

Rhodri Evans described his dad as a “well loved and respected man” throughout the community.

“He was an active man and took a huge interest in furthering the sport of cricket by mentoring and coaching youngsters in the local club and beyond,” he said.

“Losing him has left a massive hole, not only in our family but with everyone we know."

According to Welsh Hearts, 8,000 sudden cardiac arrests occur outside of hospital in Wales every year and the survival rate is only 3 per cent.

When a defibrillator is used the survival rate goes over 50 per cent.

For more information visit www.welshhearts.org and to support the Hywel Evans-inspired appeal visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Rhodri-Evans7.