CATRINE Primary School has been fitted with a new defibrillator machine this week, thanks to the efforts a community legend.

Jack Gillies took part in the Glasgow Kiltwalk earlier this year, in a bid to raise the cash for the lifesaving device, as well as supplies for the school.

Representing Catrine Games Hall Trust, which works to better the community, Jack has always been keen to point out that he is taking on the challenges as a trustee of the Games Hall Trust - and does not want to accept all of the praise for raising the funds.

Jack's Kiltwalk efforts helped to purchase the machine.Jack's Kiltwalk efforts helped to purchase the machine (Image: Charlie Gilmour) He has been a man on a mission over the past few years, with his charity efforts working towards a number of other community defibrillators being placed around the village.

This was thanks to his work at the Glasgow Kiltwalk back in 2022.

This week, Jack and Loraine Niven from Catrine Games Hall Trust handed over a cheque for more than £2,000 to school head teacher, Judith Govans.

READ MORE: Three down, two to go as Catrine gets stocked up on defibrillators

The money will go towards purchasing some much-needed items for the school.

Thanking Jack and the trust for their generosity, Mrs Govans said: "Thanks to Jack Gillies for completing the Kiltwalk back in May on behalf of the Catrine Games Hall Trust and raising more than £3,000 for use by the school, which included a large donation from Alan Thomas of Shire Housing.

"We have a brand new defibrillator installed at our school kitchen door for use by the community and we have plans for St John’s Ambulance staff to come to the school and train staff, pupils and community members in the safe use of the defibrillator.

Jack completing the Kiltwalk.Jack completing the Kiltwalk (Image: NQ Archive) "The remainder of the money that Jack raised – the wonderful sum of £2,272 - will be used to purchase resources to support the teaching of the wider curriculum in our school, such as cooking and baking equipment, specialist art equipment for screen printing and outdoor learning resources.

"Thanks also to Mrs Robertson in our office for organising to have the defibrillator installed, with Magnus Electrical Services installing it free of charge as part of their community payback scheme."