Olive Foley helps launch CPR drive

OLIVE FOLEY, wife of the late Anthony Foley, has joined Munster Rugby and Irish Heart Foundation in launching a new charity of the year partnership for 2017-’18 that will drive CPR awareness across the province in memory of her husband.

The partnership is a significant collaboration in memory of the former head coach who died suddenly a year ago this week.

In raising awareness of the Irish Heart Foundation’s work, it is hoped more lives can be saved from sudden cardiac death.

Together, Munster Rugby and the Irish Heart Foundation have teamed up to rally the public behind the prevention of sudden cardiac death which claims 5,000 lives in Ireland every year.

The incredible support of Olive Foley and family, and the Munster Rugby partnership, is a vital first step to make the public aware of their power to save more lives through lifesaving CPR.

“The Irish Heart Foundation does incredible work and it’s only right that we would give our full support to this initiative,” said Olive.

“It’s an initiative that I know Anthony would really appreciate.”

The partnership begins with tomorrow’s Champions Cup game against Racing 92 in Thomond Park.

Thanks to title sponsor Bank of Ireland, the province will have the Irish Heart Foundation’s logo on the front of the players’ jerseys for the European encounter as a mark of their support in the fight against sudden cardiac death.

Working closely with the Irish Heart Foundation the province will support a number of initiatives throughout the season including the designated ‘Charity Match’ on 26 December.

CPR training will also be rolled out across six rugby clubs across the province and Munster players and staff will also undertake training in lifesaving CPR skills to spread the vital CPR message.