Sporting cardiac arrests spark defib campaign
RAISING FUNDS TO SAVE LIVES EITHER SIDE OF TRENT BRIDGE
RUNNERS have launched a campaign to install defibrillators around Trent Bridge in tribute to young men who suffered cardiac arrests.
In April 2018, the Dorunning CIC group was rocked when member James Laverty suffered a cardiac arrest at a weekly session.
Mr Laverty, who was 25 at the time, had no history of linked medical conditions.
He was treated with a defibrillator at Nottingham City Hospital and has since made a full recovery.
Members of the running group are now raising money to buy and install two defibrillators on either side of Trent Bridge.
They also hope to buy a mobile unit. The move comes after Denmark’s Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch in the opening week of Euro 2020 after an on-pitch cardiac arrest.
The campaign also honours the late Dylan Rich, a talented 17-year-old footballer from West Bridgford who collapsed during an FA Youth Cup match against Boston United on September 2.
He was taken to hospital where he died. The cause of Dylan’s death is unknown.
Mr Laverty, now 28, said: “Without the support of my Dorunning I wouldn’t be here today. I am extremely thankful for all the ongoing support and deciding to create such a brilliant fundraiser.
“Thanks to the use of a nearby defibrillator, I was lucky.
“However, 60,000 people suffer a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) each year in the UK, only one in 10 survive.
“Effective action in the first minute after an SCA can treble the chances of survival. This is why it is so important to have more defibrillators in accessible areas.”
Des Oldham, founder of Dorunning CIC, which has 400 members, said: “Ever since James suffered a cardiac arrest at the running group I have always wanted to make sure we are in the best possible position should it happen again.
“Covid-19 temporarily halted what we were able to do but, in light of recent events, we can no longer wait to make this happen.
“Encouraging activity and participation in the way we do, we want to make sure that those in our area have 24-hour access to a facility that could save lives.”
One of the defibrillators is expected to be installed in The Meadows.
“There’s a third one,” said Mr Oldham, 41, who lives in The Meadows himself. “We are looking to raise money for one which would be a mobile unit, which we could use again for Dorunning events.
“We would also look to support other organisations, other clubs, if they wanted to use it.”
Organisers hope to raise £5,000 – and the three defibrillators are expected to cost in the region of £3,400. Extra money raised would be split between the British Heart Foundation and the running group.
Members of the group meet at the Boot Room sports bar in Pavilion Road, West Bridgford.
Over the coming weeks, more fundraising events will take place. Donations can be made atgofundme.com/f/ Defib-trent-bridge?utm_campaign=p_ lico+share-sheet+spider1v&utm_ medium=copy_link&utm_ source=customer