Cricket club becomes heartsafe with the help of JHMT

Located prominently on the outside of the club house, it is available 24/7 for anyone who should ever needs it in an emergency. Registered with East Midlands Ambulance Service, it enables the emergency call handler to initiate its use and help any available bystander follow the simple instructions and become a potential life saver.

Patrick Mulvihill, committee member at Newtown Linford Cricket Club, who has led on the project to install the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) at the club said: "The Club is at the heart of the village and together with the tennis club we offer fun and active opportunities for countless people to meet and enjoy the sports they love.However, we want everyone to be safe and whether it's a player, spectator or passer-by who might need help, we wanted to be equipped with a defibrillator (AED) to be able to offer support in such cases of emergency.

"Our thanks to Charnwood Borough Council and to Cllr David Snartt, to Leicestershire and Rutland Cricket League and the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust (JHMT) for their support in making this happen. JHMT have been tremendous in guiding us through the process - not just with advice on acquiring the defibrillator but also in regard to funding and training too."

This was achieved through a package of funding sources, including a discretionary grant for £500 from Charnwood Borough Council, and a Leicestershire & Rutland Cricket League AED grant for £250 and also a contribution from both the cricket and tennis clubs. The external cabinet (£600) which will keep the defibrillator safe has been funded by the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust (JHMT), a local charity which works with sports clubs and community groups to raise awareness of sudden heart deaths, particularly in young people.

To date, twelve players and committee members have already been trained by JHMT in how to use the equipment (AED), with other members of the club already trained to do so. Representatives from the tennis club were also trained as they will have access to the life-saving equipment too.

The cricket club celebrated its centenary in 2019 and is widely regarded as one of the most picturesque in the region. It's at the heart of the village and welcomes visitors to its clubhouse and is also the home of a hugely popular annual tournament for non-cricketers. The men's 1st team play in the premier league and have a vibrant range of teams for all ages and abilities throughout the club. Over seventy adult players, with more than one hundred and twenty juniors play cricket at Newtown, and more than fifty tennis players at the adjoining club.

Mike Ferguson from JHMT commented: "It is great that more sports clubs across the city and county, including cricket clubs like Newtown Linford Cricket Club, are installing AEDs which are accessible to the local community 24/7. An unexpected cardiac arrest can happen at any time to anyone, anywhere and of any age – player, umpire, spectator, family member or friend. Without prompt action after a cardiac arrest someone could die within minutes. Immediate access to an AED along with CPR gives that person the best possible chance of survival."

The JHMT was set up in memory of Leicester teenager Joe Humphries, who in October 2012 collapsed and died while out jogging near his family home in Rothley. Joe was a victim of sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS) – a group of lethal heart diseases which can cause sudden cardiac death in young people.

As well as providing free CPR and defibrillator training, the JHMT works hard to raise awareness of sudden heart deaths, helps to provide community defibrillators and runs Inspire, a local grants scheme for inspirational young people in the city and county.

Everards Leicestershire and Rutland Cricket League's premier division has made it a league requirement for all premier league clubs to sign up to the Leicestershire and Rutland Heart Awareness in Cricket (HAC) partnership. As part of the requirements, all clubs must have a defibrillator at their grounds and provide CPR and defibrillator training for the membership of each club, including players, coaches and officials.

Andrew Hibberd, Senior Club Network Officer, Leicestershire County Cricket Club said: "It's really pleasing to see another cricket club doing what they can to ensure a heart safe environment. Well done to Patrick and the team at Newtown Linford for seeing this through. We'd love to see more clubs go through this process and urge clubs to get in touch for more information and support. No obstacle should stand in the way, and we can help with ideas to overcome any issues clubs may feel they have in becoming heart safe."

To find out more about the work of the Trust, apply for training and support, or to help out with the charity's work, visit the website at www.jhmt.org.uk and www.jhmt.org.uk/impact.

(Source and Image: JHMT)