Defibrillators – the kit that starts hearts PUMPING again

The European Restart a Heart Day was founded with the support of the European parliament and takes place on the 16th of October every year. Restart a Heart Day raises awareness about cardiac arrest and helps people to learn CPR, giving them life saving skills and the confidence to use them.

The London Irish Foundation the charitable arm of London Irish Rugby Club, supported the National Health Service in its efforts to draw attention to “World Restart a Heart Week” which started on Sunday 16th October.

The objective of the week is to offer as many people as possible the opportunity to learn life-saving skills through cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillator awareness.

Together with the South-Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) the Foundation arranged a training session on CPR and the use of defibrillators at Littleton Recreation Ground, Laleham Road, Shepperton, on Wednesday (19th October). The session was attended by players from the London Irish professional squad and by members of the Foundation’s “Beat the Street” health and wellbeing group who participated in demonstrations conducted by NHS trainers and volunteers under the direction of David Hamer, Operations Manager of SCAS.

Announcing the session David Hamer said, “SCAS is pleased to be working with London Irish on drawing attention to ‘World Restart a Heart Week’ and to have the opportunity to provide practical training to as many people as possible in these vital life-saving skills.”

Commenting on the initiative which is part of the London Irish Foundation’s community engagement activities, Andy Keast, Chief Executive of the Foundation, said,

“As sports people we are aware of how important CPR and the correct use of defibrillators can be in emergencies that can sometimes arise in competitive sport situations. We are pleased to assist SCAS in its efforts to improve awareness of these life-saving skills.”

We are one of the foundation’s corporate supporters, and as as part of our 30th Anniversary we are donating defibrillators to SCAS with the aim of assisting the NHS at key public locations across Berkshire. This equipment is sponsored by Pump Technology Ltd, and will be handed out by the London Irish Foundation.

Jonathan Barker, Managing Director of Pump Technology Ltd said, “As a company we have always been active in the community, and as we celebrate our 30-year anniversary, we wanted to extend our values and support the SCAS”