From left: Ian Osland, Facilities and Open Spaces Manager at Masterton District Council; John Booth, Chair of the WBS Charitable Trust; and Aiden McClean of Douglas Villa Football Club beside the newly installed community AED at Douglas Villa’s Memorial Drive grounds. The AED is available 24/7 for public emergency use.

The AED, located on the exterior of the clubrooms at Memorial Drive, is available 24 hours a day and can be accessed by the public in an emergency.

The project was made possible through financial support from the WBS Charitable Trust and Masterton District Council, alongside guidance and support from Wairarapa Free Ambulance.

Douglas Villa Football Club’s Aiden McClean said the new AED is a significant upgrade for both the club and the community.

‘The support we received throughout this project made the process of replacing our old AED straightforward and helped us secure a much better option for both our club and the wider community,’ said McClean.

‘We are grateful to the WBS Charitable Trust and Masterton District Council for their financial support. We couldn’t have done this without them.’

WBS Charitable Trust Chair, John Booth, said the Trust is proud to support initiatives that strengthen community wellbeing. ‘Having a publicly accessible AED in a busy community location could make a real difference when every second counts. We’re pleased to support a project that benefits both Douglas Villa and the wider community.’

The AED’s location, near Queen Elizabeth Park and surrounding community facilities, means it will be available not only for those attending sporting events, but also for members of the public who may need lifesaving assistance nearby.