MEMBERS of Masonic lodges in the area have donated a defibrillator to Cumnock Rugby FC — with another on the way for the town centre.

Between them they raised almost £1,500 after hearing about under-18 player, Dillon Naismith, who collapsed during a match against East Kilbride last October.

Team coach Rab Donald had administered emergency first aid on the pitch and quite possibly saved the teenager’s life — happily he made a full recovery.

Secretary of Lodge St John Catrine 497, Colin Harvey, rallied support from fellow members throughout the Cumnock district after speaking to Dillon’s parents.

He said: “I was in my local pub in Catrine when Dillon’s mum, Alana, and her friend Margaret Smith came in and we started chatting.

“We were talking about the money that has been raised for charities by masons in Ayrshire — £250,000 last year — and that’s when she told me about Dillon.

“Having not known about this, I said sorry I was to hear about what happened and that’s when she told me that, along with husband Rab, they were raising money for a defibrillator.

“It would be a portable one so that, whether the junior teams were playing home or away it would be on hand in case, God forbid, they needed it.

“I said that I would write a letter on their behalf to the six Masonic lodges in and around Cumnock, known as the number Five area, asking for donations.”

Meanwhile, the Catrine masons organised a raffle and prize bingo evening which was a major success, while donations from individuals and businesses boosted the total.

Colin said: “In total we raised £1474. Alana, Rab and Dillon would like to thank family and friends that donated raffle prizes and made donations.

“The bingo itself raised £346, the raffle £243 while donations from friends, family and businesses totalled £490 and other lodges donated £395.

“Also a special thanks to Louise Allan, the owner of the Craighead pub in Cumnock for all her help. To Wendy Furbar and all the girls that run the bingo. They also want to thank myself for everything that I have done but it was a pleasure to help.

“We are donating another defibrillator which was going to be in Cumnock Town Hall but, as it not always open, it will instead be located in the Craighead pub which is open all day.”

Donations were made by the following lodges — St John Catrine 497: £200, St Thomas Muirkirk 201: £100, Boswell St James 1011: £50, St John New Cumnock 334: £25, St Barnabas Cumnock 230: £20, St David Tarbolton133: a bottle of whisky.