GLASGOW Street Pastors is to have a new health weapon in its armoury.

The group, which supports the vulnerable and homeless, has been gifted a potentially life saving defibrillator.

Businessman Scott Jackson won the equipment in a competition run by St Andrew's First Aid Training but decided to pass on his good fortune.

Scott, managing director of Milngavie-based SBJ Engineering, donated the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) as he wanted people across Glasgow to benefit.

As the owner of a small engineering firm based in an area that already has an AED, Scott felt that the defibrillator could be put to better use and provide life saving support to a greater number of people.

He said: “I wanted the machine to serve the people of Glasgow and be easily accessible to those who needed it most.

"I’ve seen the Glasgow Street Pastors’ volunteers out during the night and felt that they would benefit from having an AED to further support the work they do in helping vulnerable people and those living on the streets.”

Glasgow Street Pastors (GSP), which operates out of St George’s Tron Church of Scotland in the city centre, has more than 120 volunteers working across the city centre during the night.

The group took ownership of the equipment at a special presentation.

The AED, which is used to jump start the heart following cardiac arrest, was handed over to GSP coordinator, Stuart Crawford by Scott.

Stuart said: “We really value this donation; the work we do includes running a space called the Safezone on a Saturday night.

"Here, we work with Police Scotland to help those who are vulnerable from issues such as alcohol poisoning.

"The condition of these casualties can change dramatically over the space of a few hours.

"We are so grateful to receive this AED as it means our first aiders are now more prepared for an emergency situation.

"It really is a tremendous thing and we can’t thank both Scott Jackson and St Andrew’s First Aid Training and Supplies Ltd enough.”

Each year in Scotland, there are more than 3500 out of hospital cardiac arrests - only 1 in 20 of these casualties will survive.

St Andrew’s First Aid says its ambition is to create a nation of life savers, helping to ensure that no one loses their life because they needed help and didn’t get it.

Michelle Ferguson, Managing Director at St Andrew’s First Aid Training and Supplies Ltd added: “We are delighted with Scott’s decision to donate his AED to the Glasgow Street Pastors.

"Their commitment to helping the Scottish public, in particular the homeless, is inspiring and mirrors our own goal to build a nation of lifesavers.”