Leicestershire Tennis and Bowls Clubs become HEARTSAFE with support from JHMT

Two more community tennis and bowls clubs who are located next door to each other based Rothley village have installed a new public access defibrillator and benefitted with support from local heart charity, The Joe Humphries Memorial Trust (JHMT).

Located along the lane by the access gate to both sports facilities, the lifesaving equipment 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.

The defibrillator was jointly funded by Rothley Ivanhoe Tennis Club and the Rothley Bowls Club and the external cabinet which will keep the defibrillator safe was donated by JHMT.

35 x members from both clubs have already taken part in two sessions of Joe's Mini HeartStart for Sports training programme which aims to ensure sports club members – including players, officials and volunteers – know how to use a defibrillator and can perform CPR in an emergency.

Anne Mumford, chair of the Rothley Ivanhoe Tennis Club said: " We are really pleased to have this defibrillator on site to benefit both clubs and the wider community should it ever be called upon in an emergency. Many of us know people who have had a cardiac arrest so knowing that we could save a life is very important to us. Also, the recent training sessions for club members from the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust has really helped to increase knowledge and increase skill levels when every second counts to save a life."

Trudi Porter from Rothley Bowls club added: " Club members have been keen to take part in the JHMT lifesaving training sessions, The increased awareness of how a defibrillator can help save a life and it being available 24/7 to the local community is pleasing to know the we have made a difference to create a safer environment for all, particularly in this part of the village."

Rothley Ivanhoe Tennis Club has been in existence for over 50 years. The club also has over 300 x adults and children, ages of players range from 4 to 86, who regularly play and take part in coaching sessions throughout the year. Rothley Bowls Club will be celebrating its centenary in 2024 and has just over 40 members who ages range from 50 to mid 90s.

Dr Mike Ferguson from JHMT said: " A sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is when, without warning, the heart stops. It can happen to anyone, at any time and to people of all ages – even those who appear to be fit. Without immediate resuscitation it will be fatal – in the UK there are 27,000 deaths per year from SCA. If nothing gets done the chance of living decreases by 10% each minute. Currently the survival rate in the UK is down below 10% and this is unacceptable. Being taught basic chest compressions (CPR) and how to use a defibrillator will save lives. CPR is not difficult and can be learnt within 30 minutes. Modern defibrillators are automatic, and they will talk you through how to use them: you can do no harm by attempting to save someone's life. It's fantastic to know that another defibrillator has been made available to those who live in Rothley.

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.

The Trust works tirelessly to campaign for a better understanding of sudden, unexpected death in young people, and has campaigned for compulsory CPR training in schools and defibrillators in schools, community venues and sports clubs.

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

You can also follow the Trust on Facebook at facebook.com/JHMTorguk and Twitter @JHMTorguk

(Source & Image: The Joe Humphries Trust)