A CHARITY set up in memory of a popular Hyndburn sportsman is to provide its first public access defibrillator to the local community.

The lifesaving kit will be handed over to Great Harwood Cricket Club on the official launch night of the Philip Maher Foundation on Saturday.

Mr Maher, 62 died suddenly in January after collapsing during a football match he was playing with friends.

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A foundation spokesman said: “Despite the best attempts of staff and medical professionals to resuscitate him, he suffered a massive heart attack and passed away.”

His family requested donations in lieu of flowers at his funeral, with a view to funding a public access defibrillator at the cricket club, in Blackburn Old Road, in his memory.

Mr Maher’s son Stuart Maher, 33 said: “The response has been remarkable .

“My dad was a well-respected goalkeeper in the local amateur football leagues and showed such remarkable generosity that family members were moved to set up the Philip Maher Foundation.

“We’re determined to continue to raise money for good causes in his name, the Foundation’s stated intention is to continue to provide public access defibrillators for the use of the local community, with a particular focus for the defibrillators to be situated at amateur sports clubs, of which dad was so supportive during his life .”

An evening of entertainment, including live music from Josh Adams will be hosted by Mr Maher’s family before the defibrillator is handed over to officially launch the charity.

Mr Maher, a keen supporter of Great Harwood Cricket Club also leaves a second son Marcus, 42, and a granddaughter Emily.

More than £5,000 has been raised, and many future events are planned, not only to raise money to make further provision for defibrillators and training in their use for sports clubs and recreational venues, but also to provide an opportunity for his friends, family and work colleagues to get together to remember how they were better off in knowing him.