Many grassroots football teams constantly work their way through a matchday checklist to make sure they've got all of the essentials.
But how many of them can call upon arguably the most important item of all - a defibrillator? Nowhere near enough, that's how many.
They'll all remember to check the bibs, the cones, the nets and the pegs, but that vital piece of equipment is too often conspicuous by its absence.
Well listen up, because we've got an important, potentially life-saving message for you and your team.
Courtesy of our pals at Grassroots Football and the brilliant Red Sky Foundation charity, that situation is, thankfully, changing. They have teamed up to give away 100 free defibrillators to grassroots clubs, along with CPR training to coaches and volunteers.
Paul Kirton, Founder of Team Grassroots, has been spearheading the campaign for several years and is proud to partner up with Red Sky Foundation this year.
"It’s great to see our Grassroots Defibrillator Programme getting such high profile attention – and we hope to keep the momentum going with ambitions to get as many of the units as possible out into lots of sporting locations," explains Paul. "Red Sky Foundation’s incredibly generous donation will help clubs play with confidence and give them the peace of mind knowing that life-saving equipment can be made available, should it be required.
"The NHS and UK Government’s defibrillator fund has overlooked grassroots football clubs, which are not eligible for funding, so the demand for the equipment is huge. Previously we have received over 5,000 applications for 100 defibrillators, confirming the demand and lack of affordability amongst grassroots clubs who continue to struggle to keep clubs afloat."
This year they have even enlisted the help of a special guest to spread the word, former Premier League star Fabrice Muamba - watch the video above to listen to his message.
It's 10 years since Muamba suffered a heart attack while playing for Bolton Wanderers in an FA Cup quarter-final against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. Muamba's heart stopped for 78 minutes before 15 defibrillator shocks at a London hospital saved his life. Six months after the incident in March 2012, Muamba retired from football and since then he has actively campaigned to get more life-saving equipment into public places.
"This message goes out to the grassroots football community," says Muamba. "We all know the importance of having defibrillators and that could be the difference between life and death.
"We want to see more defibrillators available at grassroots football and we fully support the grassroots defibrillator programme by Team Grassroots and Red Sky Foundation and encourage you and your football club to apply for the defibrillator scheme."
Red Sky Foundation was awarded full charitable status in 2020 after being created by Sunderland couple Sergio and Emma Petrucci to give something back after their daughter Luna received life-saving open-heart surgery at the Children's Heart Unit in Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital.
They have raised over £600,000 funding incredible state-of-the-art cardiac machinery and equipment as well as funding a public access defibrillator project installing over 100 units and educating thousands of people of all ages on the benefits of CPR and early defibrillation.
After a recent Red Sky Ball fundraising dinner held in the North East raised over £120,000, Sergio and Emma realised the urgent need for extra defibrillators at grassroots level football.
It was the obvious choice for the Petrucci family, who are grassroots football obsessives themselves with Luna now playing for Bolden Girls Under-10s in the North East.
"Our daughter was given a second chance receiving specialist cardiac care when she needed it most but now she is 100 percent fit and healthy," says Sergio. "It's time for us to focus on the other children who are born with, or who might develop a heart condition. Grassroots football is a perfect way for us to help kickstart the scheme.
"Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone of any age and what we’re doing at this level of football is to help protect children as well as adults in the event of a medical emergency by having a defibrillator as near as possible. Using early CPR and defibrillation on a person in sudden cardiac arrest can increase their chances of survival from seven percent to over 75 percent so it’s vital that every club possible in the UK has access to a defibrillator via the Grassroots Defibrillator Programme."
All defibrillators allocated to clubs via the Grassroots Defibrillator Programme will come with an additional free life-saving CPR and defibrillator session for as many people who wish to attend, courtesy of Red Sky Foundation.
Clubs can apply online for a defibrillator at www.teamgrassroots.co.uk.
This was originally published in Kick N Mix, our grassroots football email. To sign up, fill out the form above.
