A WAR veteran and former pupil of a Newport primary has given £1,000 of his own money in order for the school to buy its own heart defibrillator.

Ex-Crindau Primary School student Derek Limbrick, who is 87, kindly donated the handsome sum after a recent visit to the school.

Mr Limbrick, who lives in Malpas, said: “I saw a story in the paper and I thought to myself that the only school I ever went to was Crindau. So I wondered if they had [a defibrillator].

“I spoke to the headmistress and she said the school didn’t have one so I said I would like to buy one for them. It’s the least I could do.”

Mr Limbrick, who served in the Royal Navy from his base in Bermuda during the end of the Second World War, presented the device to the school alongside charity Welsh Hearts.

Volunteers from Welsh Hearts, who are Jack’s Appeal’s main supporters, also gave free training to students and staff at the school.

Marie Ward, headteacher at Crindau Primary, said: “Mr Limbrick called into the school one day and he said how he’d like to buy a defib because he had seen in the news how young people had passed away because of heart conditions.

“He gave us £1,000 because he knew how much they’d cost – I couldn’t believe it. We’re extremely grateful. It’s also there for the community and will be a lasting memory from him.”