Life-saving defibrillator project for sports venues in Rushcliffe funded by UKSPF
Last updated: 7/2/2024
Fourteen sports venues across Rushcliffe have been supported as part of a Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) project that is raising awareness, providing training and improving access to life-saving defibrillators.
The Safe Hearts in Sport initiative, supported by Shared Prosperity Funding from the UK Government is equipping venues, sports clubs and their coaches and volunteers, with the tools and resources to ensure if anyone is faced with a cardiac emergency, they are prepared and know what to do.
Through the project, RBC is working with partners to provide new defibrillators at sites that don’t currently have one, outdoor cabinets to make existing defibrillators more accessible and other equipment such as new batteries, paediatric pads and prep kits.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillator training has also been delivered to 45 venue staff, sports club coaches and volunteers across the Borough with further plans to run additional training sessions later in the year.
The venues are registering with the national defibrillator network The Circuit, which provides NHS ambulance services with vital information about defibrillators across the UK.
Having your defibrillator registered can be the difference in those crucial moments after a cardiac arrest so they can be accessed quickly to help save lives.
It’s vital that anyone who owns or looks after a defibrillator should register the device with the network.
Aslockton and Orston Football Club based at Orston Recreation Ground in the Borough is one of the sports venues who have benefitted from the scheme with their current defibrillator being installed outside in a new cabinet to be made available 24/7.
RBC’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Business and Growth Cllr Abby Brennan said: “Through our UKSPF allocation we’re pleased to support this Safe Hearts in Sports initiative, an incredibly vital project for the Borough, enhancing the safety of our residents and the many people who play sport.
“It was great to visit Orston Recreation Ground where the defibrillator is now accessible for the whole community to use at any time of the day.
“In recent years there have been several local incidences of sudden cardiac arrest affecting the sporting community. Raising awareness and equipping our sporting venues with accessible defibrillators could save a life if someone has a cardiac arrest.”
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Wellbeing, ICT and Member Development Cllr Jonathan Wheeler added: “We’re working with partners on this important initiative to help put more accessible defibrillators in place across the Borough which can help to increase survival rates from cardiac arrests.
“Registering the devices on The Circuit is also an essential part of this project as we know there are thousands of unregistered defibrillators nationwide which means ambulance services are not aware of their location.
“If you are a business, community group, sports club or local service in Rushcliffe that owns or looks after a defibrillator, please register it on The Circuit today as it could help save someone’s life.”
Chairman of Aslockton and Orston Football Club Martin Hallam added: “Our defibrillator is so much better and more accessible for our 12 teams now that it’s been moved outside.
“Previously, we had a device stored inside which was only available on certain days but to now have one available 24/7 is just fantastic and can be used by anyone close by such as the local allotment society, equestrian centre and dog walkers.
“As part of the project we hosted the CPR and defibrillator training here at our site and we’ve developed strong links with RBC and partners who are helping to explore opportunities to grow the club.
“Thank you to RBC for providing UKSPF funding to make this Safe Hearts in Sport project happen. These defibrillators can help to save lives.”
