Sports teams join forces to raise funds for a defibrillator at club
ONE of the county’s major sporting venues now boasts a public access defibrillator (PAD) for use during cardiac emergencies.
Ashby Road Sports Club launched a major fundraising campaign, which was a huge success thanks to the collective efforts of Hinckley Amateur Cricket team – who organised a sponsored run around the sports field – Hinckley Ladies and Ashby Warriors junior football teams – who organised a race night – and Ashby Road Sunday team arranging a giant blackout card.
In addition, the club received a grant from the ECB and support from Leicestershire based heart charity, The Joe Humphries Memorial Trust (JHMT) who provided a cabinet to store the equipment and helped the club to get an AED at a subsidised rate.
Hinckley Amateurs Club member and electrician, Ed
We hope we never have to use it, but it will give us peace of mind knowing it will vestly increase chances of surviving Chairman Steve Musin
Proctor, installed the PAD unit.
Club chairman Steve Musin said: “I’m so grateful for the fantastic fundraising response by all the clubs based at Ashby Road to help purchase this vital piece of lifesaving equipment.
“We hope we never have to use it, but it will give us peace of mind knowing that should an emergency occur in or around the club’s grounds, it will vastly increase t h e chances of someone surviving. “Also, a huge thanks to JHMT who have helped us turn this around in double quick time.” Club members will soon undergo key CPR and AED familiarisation training, led by JHMT.
JHMT trustee Dr Mike Ferguson said: “Recent events have proven that even the fittest of athletes can have a sudden cardiac arrest, and only prompt, effective resuscitation prevented a death.
“It is within the grasp of players and officials from all sports at all levels of competency to easily learn CPR and AED awareness. Missing out on this opportunity is putting all those involved in sport at risk of dying or suffering serious health problems.
“Ashby Road Sports Club is showing the way all clubs should look after their players, spectators and everyone attending the facility.”
As well as providing free CPR and defibrillator training, the JHMT works hard to raise awareness of sudden heart deaths, helps to provide community defibrillators, and runs Inspire – a local grants scheme for inspirational young people.
The Leicestershire charity was set up after the tragic death of Rothley teenager Joe
Humphries in 2012, who suffered sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS) while out on a run.
To find out more about the work of the trust, apply for training and support, or to help out with the charity’s work, visit www.jhmt.org.uk
You can also follow the trust at facebook.com/JHMTorguk, and Twitter @JHMTorguk.