A Suffolk man who survived a heart attack says he is here to prove the importance of defibrillators as part of a free training initiative. 

Free sessions will be held in Sudbury on Friday, April 14, to show people how to use a defibrillator and save lives.

The sessions, put on by East Anglian Air Ambulance and a cardiac arrest survivor, Andy Read, are free to attend and are in various locations around Sudbury.

The locations for the tutorials, led by Paige Chamberlain, are at AFC Sudbury AT 10.15am, The Boathouse and 11am, The Jetty on Quay Lane at 11.45am and from 1-3 at Kingfisher Leisure Centre.

Sessions will last just 20 minutes long and are aimed to give confidence in using a defibrillator.

Sudbury Mercury: Andy Read suffered a cardiac arrest in 2018 but was saved through a defibrillator. Credit: NewsquestAndy Read suffered a cardiac arrest in 2018 but was saved through a defibrillator. Credit: Newsquest (Image: Sarah Lucy Brown)

In 2018, Mr Read suffered a cardiac arrest and he spoke about how important these sessions are.

He said: "These pieces of equipment save lives, and I am here to prove it.

"When they use them, people seem to think that they could do more damage to the person, but defibrillators only shock unless the heart has stopped, they are incredibly clever."

Dr Aamer Khan from Harley Street Skin Clinic said: "Having access to a defibrillator in a small community can be a matter of life or death.

"As many residents as possible should be trained in how to use a defibrillator or at the very least, aware of how and where to access one should an emergency arise.

"Raising awareness of defibrillators in our community will save lives."

There are at least 10 24/7 defibrillators in Sudbury in various locations around the town.

People are able to just attend the sessions at AFC Sudbury, The Boathouse and The Jetty, whereas classes at Kingfisher Leisure Centre need to be booked through here.