Blackburn Rovers FC and Morecambe FC partner with Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation to provide life-saving defibrillators to communities in need. The initiative aims to address the stark inequality in defibrillator access across the UK.
Two prominent football clubs from Lancashire, Blackburn Rovers FC and Morecambe FC, have joined forces with Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to combat the disparity in defibrillator access within communities across the United Kingdom. This initiative aims to provide vital defibrillators to those areas most in need, recognizing the crucial role these devices play in saving lives during cardiac arrests.
The BHF's Community Defibrillator Fund, established to address this issue, highlights the stark reality of unequal access to defibrillators. Research conducted by the BHF reveals that Morecambe and Wensley Fold, a mere two miles from Rovers' Ewood Park stadium, are among the priority areas where increased community defibrillator availability is urgently required. Data demonstrates that residents in Wensley Fold are, on average, 420 meters away from their nearest accessible public defibrillator, significantly exceeding the national recommendation of 200 meters. This distance translates to a potential retrieval time of five minutes, a crucial factor in a cardiac emergency. Morecambe residents face an even greater challenge, with an average distance of 818 meters to the nearest defibrillator, resulting in a potential retrieval time of 10 minutes. This underscores the urgency for increased defibrillator availability in these communities.Steve Waggott, chief executive officer of Rovers, and Rob Smith, general manager of Morecambe, expressed their commitment to supporting this vital initiative. They emphasized their desire to leverage the clubs' reach and established connections within the local community to raise awareness and encourage local organizations, community groups, and sports teams to apply for a free, life-saving defibrillator. Tom Lockyer, a cardiac arrest survivor and captain of Luton Town, serves as an inspiring campaign ambassador for this cause. Lockyer's personal experience vividly illustrates the life-saving potential of prompt CPR and defibrillation. He passionately advocates for equitable access to defibrillators, recognizing that the postcode a person resides in can significantly impact their chances of survival in a cardiac arrest situation. Lockyer urges all community groups and organizations in Morecambe and Lancashire to explore the BHF website and apply for a defibrillator, emphasizing their potential to make a life-altering difference within their communities.Sam Kennard, community defibrillator program manager at the BHF, reinforces the organization's belief that everyone deserves access to a readily available emergency defibrillator, regardless of their location. However, he acknowledges the existing disparities in defibrillator access across the UK. Kennard emphasizes the user-friendliness of these devices, requiring no prior training. Once accessed, the defibrillator provides clear instructions on its operation and delivers a shock only when necessary. He recommends always dialing 999 in a cardiac emergency, as the call handler will guide users through the entire process while awaiting further assistance. To apply for a funded community defibrillator package, potential applicants are encouraged to visit the BHF website.
DEFIBRILLATORS CARDIAC ARREST COMMUNITY HEALTH BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION SKY BET BLACKBURN ROVERS FC MORECAMBE FC
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Lancashire Football Clubs Team Up to Tackle Defibrillator InequalityBlackburn Rovers FC and Morecambe FC are partnering with Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation to provide funded defibrillators to local community groups in Lancashire. The initiative aims to address the urgent need for increased defibrillator access in areas like Morecambe and Wensley Fold, where residents face significantly longer retrieval times due to limited availability.
Read more »
The Lancashire football club tackling blokes' beer bellies with 5-a-sideThe team is looking for men who want to get involved
Read more »
Lancashire football club unveils ambitious plans to transform siteFacilities are set to be massively extended
Read more »
Conor McGregor Hints at Buying League of Ireland Football ClubsMMA star Conor McGregor caused controversy by suggesting he could buy two League of Ireland football clubs after a dispute with Drogheda United.
Read more »
– Conor McGregor reveals interest in buying football clubs as one releases statement on U...Conor McGregor shares photos with Irish FA Cup after cousin wins famous trophy with Drogheda United
Read more »
World's Oldest Football Clubs Set for Historic DerbySheffield FC and Hallam FC, the world's oldest football clubs, are set to face off in a historic derby match at the world's oldest football ground, Sandygate, in front of a sell-out crowd.
Read more »