TWO potentially life-saving pieces of equipment have been installed at the Madejski Stadium.

The stadium received two automated external defibrillators (AEDs) thanks to a generous donation by local homebuilder Bewley Homes, which are located at two different locations within the stadium complex.

An AED can deliver shocks to a patient who is in cardiac arrest, potentially saving valuable time before paramedics arrive. They can be used with little or no training, as the machine will analyse the patient's heart rhythm, before using visual and voice prompts to guide the user.

The two devices are located in the entrance to the Main Reception between Gates 3 and 4, and by the Academy Training Dome.

A spokesperson for Reading FC said: "Each individual’s safety is of paramount importance for a football club who proudly serves its supporters throughout every football season and its local community 365 days a year. And we are very pleased to have [had] two brand new AED devices installed and fully operational ahead of Saturday's league fixture against Brentford.

"On behalf of all the club’s supporters, we would like to express our gratitude to Bewley Homes and Arrhythmia Alliance for the generous donation of these two devices, which are situated in the entrance to the Main Reception at Madejski Stadium (between Gates 3 and 4) and by the Academy Training Dome with our Community Trust."

Andrew Brooks, Managing Director of Bewley Homes said: "Bewley is a local developer based in and around the Reading area and, as a company, we like to go that little bit further, putting something back in to help the local community.

“Our number one priority in placing defibrillators in key public spaces is to help save lives.”