A CHARITY providing life-saving training has called for urgent help from the public to keep it going during the coronavirus crisis.

Heartstart, which provides defibrillator training across the county, has seen its donations dry up completely, and with monthly overheads averaging £500, it has calculated that the impact of the pandemic will last a year, leaving the charity trying to find £6,000 just to keep ‘ticking over’ until normal service can resume.

The charity says it is completely reliant on voluntary donations, Heartstart Malvern has been hit hard since the UK went into lockdown as charity walks and other events have had to be cancelled.

READ MORE: Malvern Theatres needs help staying open as coronavirus devastates income

Heartstart Malvern has launched an urgent ‘Heartbeat Appeal’ and it is inviting supporters to take up its ‘6K Challenge’.

Supporters can take up any activity they like based on the number or theme of 6,000.

Those not wanting to take on the challenge may prefer to donate £6 although the charity insists any donation, no matter how small, is gratefully received.

Treasurer Melanie Baker said: “Being involved at the heart of the charity, I appreciate the importance of the work of our volunteers and know the value that our defibrillators can have in saving lives. I am delighted to take up the 6K Challenge by walking 6K every day for six days.”

Chief executive Richard Vakis-Lowe said: “At Heartstart Malvern we are keen to reassure people that we continue to maintain our public access defibrillators throughout the health crisis and encourage everyone to know where their nearest cabinet is located. By supporting our Heartbeat Appeal and our 6K challenge our community is helping us to save lives even during these challenging times.”

To help, go to www.justgiving.com/campaign/HeartstartMalvern6KChallenge