Golf club joins British Heart Foundation in big drive to save more lives

Partnership established after popular member Chris survived cardiac arrest

A FORMER Ireland cricketer whose life was saved by his son has spoken about the importance of CPR as his golf club teamed up with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) for a new initiative.

The collaboration between Donaghadee Golf Club and the charity came after Chris Harte survived a heart attack.

In April last year the 75-yearold became unwell at home, with a sore shoulder and a feeling of indigestion.

Shortly afterwards he stopped breathing, but fortunately his teacher son Michael, who is trained in CPR, arrived and began chest compressions.

Chris’s wife Anne said: “Michael quickly began CPR while I called an ambulance. Shortly after, my daughter Jennifer and her friend Eimhear, who is an A&E consultant at Antrim Area Hospital, arrived and Eimhear took over.

“Just the previous week Eimhear spotted a defibrillator in Carnalea Golf Club, which is close to our home. Michael went straight there to get it and she used it twice before the ambulance arrived to get Chris’s heart going again.”

Now Donaghadee Golf Club, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary, will dedicate the next year to fundraising for BHF.

Mr Harte is delighted with the partnership.

He said: “I, along with other members of the club, are fully aware of how a cardiac arrest can affect anyone at any time.

“We want as many people as possible to learn CPR to create a community of lifesavers so that, if the unthinkable happened, they would know how to save a loved one with quick actions.”

The club said: “Over the past year Donaghadee Golf Club has sadly seen several members suffering cardiac arrests, and the club captains are determined to ensure, through the partnership with BHF NI, that all members are trained and equipped to deal with life-threatening situations, on and off the course.”

At the launch event, captain Neil Bailey said: “I’m delighted to be joining (fellow captain) Yvonne (Clark) in supporting BHF NI this year. Together we’ll be organising events to raise funds for much-needed heart research carried out at Queen’s University Belfast.

“We also want to raise members’ awareness about heart health and how they can help save lives by learning CPR and how to use defibrillators.”

Ms Clark added: “Sadly, last year a number of our members suffered cardiac arrests and this has brought into the spotlight how vitally important it is for our members, their families and friends to have the skills and confidence to deal with an unexpected situation on the golf course or at home.”

The charity’s Fearghal Mckinney said: “I’m delighted that Donaghadee Golf Club has chosen BHF NI as its charity of the year and is raising funds through a number of fun events.

“It’s very encouraging that its members will be learning CPR through our free online training tool, Revivr. Every moment matters when someone has a cardiac arrest, and being able to step in and perform CPR could be the difference between life and death.”

Revivr can teach CPR and the correct steps of defibrillator use in just 15 minutes, with people receiving a certificate after completion of the course.

The tool means anyone can learn CPR skills — all that is required is a mobile phone and a cushion.