NORTON councillors are to consider providing funding towards another public defibrillator in the town.

Cllr Sharon Cawte contacted Sue Parsons, who runs the Tom Parsons Trust with her husband Nick, after a recent incident in Norton.

Tom Parsons, from West Heslerton, died while on holiday on the Greek island of Zante in 2016. The 22-year-old suffered from myocarditis, which is inflammation and damage of the heart muscle.

His parents set up the Tom Parsons Trust, which has provided defibrillators in the community, as well as fundraising for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) towards myocarditis research.

Cllr Cawte said: “Tom was one of my son’s best friends.

“We were in Malta when we got the news and it devastated us all as he was such a fit lad.

“It was only after a recent incident in Norton that I realised just how vital public use defibrillators have become, which is why I contacted Sue and asked her to come to a town council meeting.

“Fundraising to buy the equipment is the first step, but these bought by the Tom Parsons Trust need maintaining. Currently this is done by Tom’s parents, but they need help.

“The defibrillators bought by the trust are compatible with the ambulance equipment and are registered so they can be located in an emergency.”

Mrs Parsons said the trust had provided a number of defibrillators in the area, including Tom’s former school, Norton College, The Croft in Malton, West Heslerton Village Hall, the Derwent Arms in Norton and Royal Oak in Malton.

“Not a week goes by when one of the defibrillators is not used and after each use the pads and starter kit has to be changed at a cost of about £50,” she said.

“We also need to get the message out as to where the defibrillators are.

“We didn’t get the chance to say goodbye to Tom so it is our aim to get many defibrillators out there to give people the chance of life.”

Members of Norton Town Council agreed to discuss funding towards a defibrillator at their next meeting.