Football Fans Urged to Learn Lifesaving CPR Ahead of Euro 2024 and FIFA World Cup
Football Players Encourage Fans to Support ‘Every Minute Matters’ Campaign
Leeds United and Southampton Join Forces to Promote CPR Training
In a heartwarming display of unity, players and staff from promotion-chasing Leeds United and Southampton have joined forces to encourage football fans across the UK to support the ‘Every Minute Matters’ campaign ahead of the highly anticipated Sky Bet Championship play-off final.
“Learning CPR has been a genuinely eye-opening experience,” said Junior Firpo, Leeds United defender. “I had no idea how simple and easy it is to do – and it’s a skill that can save someone’s life.”
Ryan Manning, Saints star, emphasized the importance of the skill, stating, “If you are ever in a situation where someone has a cardiac arrest, that’s when the CPR training will kick in. My advice to anyone is just go and do it, search RevivR and you can learn CPR in 15 minutes.”
Campaign Aims to Raise Awareness and Funds for British Heart Foundation
The campaign, launched by a star-studded ‘Re-Starting 11’ of footballers and local heroes on May 1, has already inspired more than 30,000 people to learn CPR through the BHF’s online RevivR tool. With the flurry of 37 goals in this year’s Sky Bet play-offs, Sky Bet has pledged £370,000 to support the British Heart Foundation’s vital work, with the goal of raising up to £3 million over the course of the 13-month campaign.
The timing of the campaign is particularly poignant, as it marks a year since Tom Lockyer’s collapse due to an undiagnosed heart condition during last year’s Wembley tie. Daniel Farke, Leeds manager, emphasized the importance of the campaign, stating, “Tom’s collapse was a sudden and shocking reminder that heart conditions can affect us all, even the fittest of football players.”
“Cardiac arrest doesn’t discriminate, it can affect anyone at any time. It’s why we’re standing shoulder to shoulder with Leeds United players and staff in calling on the fans of both clubs and fans across the country to learn CPR,” said Russell Martin, Southampton manager.
As the football community gears up for the Euro 2024, Champions League, FIFA World Cup, Women’s World Cup, Africa Cup of Nations, Premier League, EFL Cup, EFL Championship, EFL One, EFL Two, and FA Cup, the ‘Every Minute Matters’ campaign serves as a powerful reminder that learning CPR can make all the difference. Football fans are urged to take 15 minutes to learn the lifesaving skill and become part of the growing movement to save lives.
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