Boys raise cash for defibrillators
Two schoolboys were inspired to fundraise for defibrillators after footballer Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest during a Euro 2020 match last month. The pair are now fundraising for life-saving machines at their schools, Fishbourne Primary School and Jessie Younghusband Primary School. To read about the efforts of Jamie Gregory and Ralph Bowden (pictured with dad Dean),
Like many other children their age, Jamie Gregory and Ralph Bowden watched Denmark footballer Christian Eriksen collapse onto the pitch after suffering a cardiac arrest during a Euro 2020 match against Finland last month.
Having learned how vital the quick use of a defibrillator was in saving the midfielder’s life that day, the nine-yearolds have decided to take action to ensure those close to them would also have the best chance of survival.
“This may happen to someone in my school, my family or in our local community and there is no public defibrillator close enough to significantly increase someone’s chances of survival if their heart were to stop,” said Fishbourne Primary School student Jamie.
Along with his ‘football crazy’ classmates, Jamie will dribble a football for ten miles in five days to raise £3,000 for an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on the outside wall of the school building.
The thoughtful schoolboy added: “We are really hoping that the local community, and anyone else who is able, will support our important mission.”
Meanwhile, the shocking Eriksen incident resonated strongly with Jessie Younghusband Primary School student Ralph as his dad, Dean, had a cardiac arrest in 2007 when he was just 21 years old.
Ralph will cycle ten miles along Centurion Way on July 17. He said: “There are a lot of staff and people at my school, and I want everyone there to be safe.”
To read more, and to find the links to Jamie and Ralph’s fundraising campaigns, visit www.chichester.co.uk.