New accessible defibrillator installed at football ground in Hartlepool
A NEW defibrillator has been installed at Hartlepool United giving access to life-saving equipment to the thousands of people who visit the Suit Direct Stadium.
The public access defibrillator is now in place, and is available 24/7 to anyone in the area who needs it.
Now, the club have seen the defibrillator installed at the Suit Direct Stadium on Clarence Road thanks to Mcvickers Electrical Contractors after Red Sky Foundation raised the money supported by Teesside based companies K2 Construction Management and Wilson James Limited.
Kelly Clarkson, Operations Manager at Hartlepool United FC, said: ‘As a club, we’re committed to having a positive impact on the communities that we serve. As part of our agenda, installing the defibrillator means local residents and visitors will have access to potentially life-saving equipment, so it’s just a wonderful addition to our club.”
‘We are really grateful to Red Sky Foundation for the equipment which hopefully will never be needed.
‘At Hartlepool United we want to be involved in the community and we have a huge following, many of whom live near the club. It was important to us to accept the defibrillator that can be used by anyone who needs it at anytime.’
Kevin Phillips, manager of Hartlepool United, was happy to back the project and accept the new piece of equipment. “They’re such a vital piece of kit and it’s a fact defibrillators really do save lives. Whilst we hope it’s never needed it’s fantastic to have it here for supporters of both teams and for people living nearby and for us to play our part in looking after it for the charity.
It is the second defibrillator donated to the club after the youth team received one to have pitch side as part of a £100,000 Red Sky Foundation giveaway when the charity donated hundreds of the devices as part of a grassroots football initiative.
Co founder of Red Sky Foundation, Sergio Petrucci set up the charity with his wife Emma in 2020 after their little girl Luna received life saving cardiac surgery at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. Their charity now helps hundreds of families living with complex heart conditions, providing care and support for those in need. The couple widened their programme to increase the number of public accessible defibrillators and over 500 units are now available for use in a medical emergency.
Sergio said: ‘I believe every gym, sports club and public building should have a defibrillator. A friend of mine had a cardiac arrest after playing five-a-side football.
‘Since then I have wanted to see a lot more available in case they are needed.
‘You hope they never are but it is better to have one. They are worth the money even if they save one life.’
Every year more than 30,000 people suffer a cardiac arrest in the UK, and only one in 10 people survive. Research shows for every minute a person spends without CPR and defibrillation, their chances of survival drop by 10 per cent.
For more information about the locations of your nearest defibrillator and to learn CPR in 15 minutes visit: www.redskyfoundation.com