Village junior football club instals defibrillator
A FOOTBALL club in Croft has installed a defibrillator thanks to the help of several charities.
Croft Juniors FC now has the lifesaving device attached to the wall of its pavilion at the Winston Avenue sports ground, with footballers there trained in how to use it.
The team was able to purchase the automated external defibrillator with donations from Apollo Distribution and Direct Electrical, combined with money from the club’s recycle and save scheme, which involves recycling used football boots.
The device’s protective cabinet was paid for by the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust (JHMT), set up in memory of a boy who died from sudden arythmic death syndrome aged just 14 in 2012.
The trust provided free CPR training and instruction on how to use the defibrillator to the club.
Dave Wilson, chairman of Croft Juniors FC said: “We’re all very pleased to have a public access defibrillator installed locally.
“We share the aims of the JHMT in inspiring young people to fulfil their potential and develop their talents, and to increase the number of defibrillators available in the community.
“We fully support their magnificent efforts to reduce the number of lives lost through heart dysrhythmia and we would urge all sports clubs to look into providing a defibrillator to the surrounding community.
“Nothing can be more important than saving a life.”
Steve Humphries from the JHMT said: “Having coaches, players and volunteers trained in hands-on CPR and having access to a defibrillator should form a key part of all Leicestershire sports clubs’ duty of care plans.
“Forewarned is forearmed, as sudden cardiac arrest can strike anyone of any age, including fit and healthy young people, without any warning.
“The work of Joe’s Trust goes on as the challenge ahead is to try to create a level playing field across all levels of local sport, from elite to grassroots, where being fully prepared and equipped to save a life becomes the norm.”
Croft Juniors has some 200 members aged from four to 15.
The sports ground is used by other