Leek Cricket Club is raising money to install an automated external defibrillator (AED) which can also be accessed by local people, to cut the risk of the loss of a life in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest. This life-saving defibrillator is a huge boost to the local community.

The club and the surrounding area will be much safer thanks to the fundraising efforts that will pay for the AED and its ongoing maintenance.

The idea to fundraise for the defibrillator came from members Martin and Diane Parr, whose son Christopher played for the club up until his tragic death in 2010, at the age of 21, from an undetected congenital cardiac condition.

Martin and Diane have been active with many fundraisers since then for the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), which works to prevent young sudden cardiac deaths through awareness, screening and research and supports affected families.

Martin Parr said: “We will never get over losing Chris; he was a very special person, loved by many, who loved life and especially his sport. We decided that the best way to celebrate his life was to put our energy into raising money to prevent such a tragedy from happening to others.

“Chris’s friends have been incredible in their fundraising efforts for CRY and have organised many activities at the club, as well as climbing Kilimanjaro in 2019.

“Up until 2020, we held regular heart screenings to detect any heart-related problems, and we hope to start these again now Covid restrictions are lifted.

“High profile incidences such as footballers Christian Eriksen and Fabrice Muamba have brought the issue to the forefront, but it can happen to anyone at any age and fitness, and we want to be assured that we are in a position to do everything we can to save a life if needed.”

“Everyone at the club really gets behind fundraising, and I know that with their support and enthusiasm, we will soon achieve our target.

“We will also be making sure as many people as possible at the club know what to do in the event of a cardiac arrest, both in terms of operating the AED and administering CPR. This club is an integral part of the community, so we thought it was important to give local people access to the defibrillator as well. You hope it never needs to be used, but it will greatly cut the risk of unnecessary death if it does.”

The defibrillator was supplied and installed by charity AEDdonate who manage the fundraising campaign with a dedicated fundraising page. They then look after the installation, registration with the ambulance service, and regular maintenance of the defibrillator.

Jamie Richards, CEO of AEDdonate, said: “In the UK, over 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests are treated by emergency medical services every year. Approximately one in 10 people will survive this event. The survival rate decreases minute by minute after sudden cardiac arrest; if a defibrillator is applied within three minutes, there is a 70 percent chance of survival. To improve this, defibrillators must be easily accessible throughout the country. Apply For Funding For Your Area Now.

“Defibrillators are extremely easy to use, and they provide step-by-step instructions in either verbal or visual form. They can be operated by anyone, with no prior training required.”

Donate toward the Leek Cricket Club AED here: https://www.aeddonate.org.uk/projects/christopher-parr/

 

To find out more about fundraising for a defibrillator through AEDdonate email: info@aeddonate.org.uk call 01785 472224 or visit: https://www.aeddonate.org.uk

 

Photo: Rob Cimino, a friend of Christopher Parr, Diane Parr, Martin Parr and Matt Potts, Committee member at Leek Cricket Club. Photo was taken at the Leek Cricket Club annual beer festival fundraiser. (Credit: Mark Brammar)