Wales and Swansea City Defender, Connor Roberts joined Welsh Hearts and The Football Association of Wales at Seven Sisters AFC to present Connor’s local club with a lifesaving defibrillator.
Following the presentation, a number of youth players and committee members from the Neath based, grassroots club undertook vital CPR training at the clubhouse.
Connor Roberts, Wales and Swansea City Defender said, “I grew up in the local area and to come back here and be involved in this brilliant initiative that could help to save someone’s life is something I am particularly passionate about”.
Many Swansea City fans will remember the defibrillator pledge the Swans made in August 2018, of purchasing one defibrillator for every victory Graham Potter’s side secure during the 2018-19 campaign.
At the time of writing, this total stands at 18, which is in addition to the other 39 defibrillators that the club had purchased for use in Swansea and the local areas since the start of the programme in January 2018.
The Swans programme was launched in memory of local grassroots player Mitchell Joseph, who sadly collapsed and died while playing football for St Joseph’s AFC in the Swansea Senior League.
However, this new partnership between the FAW and Welsh Hearts, aims to deliver lifesaving defibrillators, equipment and training to all football clubs in Wales.
This will ensure that in the future, every player and spectator in every football club in Wales, no matter how big or small, will have access to a lifesaving defibrillator.
Research shows that over 90% of sudden cardiac arrests in young athletes happen either during or immediately after exercise and those with an inherited heart condition can be up to three times as likely to suffer a sudden cardiac arrest if they participate in intensive or strenuous exercise.
The partnership between The FAW and Welsh Hearts launched at Wales’ National team open training session in Wrexham in May 2018 where the National team donated their match fees to fund the first 6 defibrillators, one for every area association in Wales.
Sharon Owen, Welsh Hearts Charity Director added, “The Welsh Hearts and FAW partnership was formed last May and with the FAW’s help we have donated 10 defibrillators to clubs throughout Wales. We understand there are many more clubs to engage and train with and we look forward to our work together in the future”.
To join the Football Association of Wales and Wales’ leading Heart Charity help safeguard our footballers and spectators across the country you can donate via their dedicated JustGiving page.
To apply for a defibrillator for your football club, visit the Welsh Hearts website and complete the application form.
Did you know that for every minute without CPR and defibrillation, a person’s chance of survival decreases by around 10 per cent.
By performing CPR and using a defibrillator until an ambulance arrives, you can help double the victim’s chance of survival.
You can find your nearest defibrillator machine by using the search facility on the NHS Direct Wales website.