Hastings-born AFC Bournemouth captain Steve Cook gifts defibrillator to Hollington United

Hastings-born AFC Bournemouth skipper Steve Cook has paid for Hollington United to receive a defibrillator. Picture by Naomi Baker/Getty Images

Cook’s generous purchase came just an hour after the Lions, who play in the Mid Sussex Football League, had posted an appeal for the life-saving equipment on Twitter.

The 30-year-old defender is involved in the local football scene and is the academy ambassador at Hastings United.

Posting on Twitter after Cook’s donation, Hollington United said: "The club can announce that Steve Cook has paid for the club to have a defibrillator. Fantastic gesture from a local legend.

"Hopefully more professional footballers follow in the footsteps of Steve Cook and help those grassroots clubs with a defibrillator. Every club needs one."

The Cherries skipper replied saying: "My pleasure. Such an important piece of equipment that every club should have."

A defibrillator was used in a football game on Saturday after Inter Milan and Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest during his country’s opening game of Euro 2020 against Finland in Copenhagen.

The 29-year-old former Spurs player posted a picture on Instagram from his hospital bed with a thumbs-up on Tuesday.