Football club helps promote lifesaving CPR training

19 hours ago

Matthew PickWest of England

News image — It is hoped the training will leave young people equipped with practical lifesaving skills

BBC Two boys knelt down next to a medical training dummy. One has his hands locked on the dummy's chest - performing CPR. They are wearing blue jumpers and trousers with Bristol Rovers logos on them. — It is hoped the training will leave young people equipped with practical lifesaving skills

A partnership between a football club and the NHS has seen dozens of youngsters given free CPR training.

The community trust at Bristol Rovers signed the deal in November last year and are holding a series of local initiatives.

One of the club's players, Tom Lockyer, who suffered a cardiac arrest during a match against Bournemouth in December 2023, also took part in the initiative.

"I'm living proof of the power of CPR – quick thinking, CPR and a defibrillator saved my life, and without that response I simply wouldn't be here today," he said.

A boy is knelt down next to a medical training dummy, leaning over it performing CPR. Around him there are four other students watching, a man in a green jumper and a woman who is wearing an NHS uniform. The students are wearing blue tops and trousers with Bristol Rovers logos on them. — The event was enabled by the partnership between North Bristol NHS Trust and Bristol Rovers

CEO of Bristol Rovers Community Trust, Adam Tutton, said: "CPR training is vital because it gives people the confidence and skills to act in those first critical moments of a cardiac emergency, when quick action can save a life.

"Tom Lockyer's story powerfully shows the difference that early CPR and defibrillation can make."

The event was enabled by the partnership between North Bristol NHS Trust, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust and the club, combining clinical expertise with community reach, Tutton added.

Tom Lockyer wearing a Bristol Rovers zip up jacket standing in a hall where the CPR session was held. He is also wearing a black Bristol Rovers hat. — Tom Lockyer said the training could "potentially save a life"

Lockyer said: "I'm incredibly proud to be here at the Memorial Stadium supporting the CPR training event being delivered.

"It means a lot to me to be able to give something back to the community and help give these students the confidence to step in during an emergency and potentially save a life," he added.

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