Sports clubs urged to apply for funding for defibrillators

Community Link Foundation has pledged to buy three defibrillators for local sports clubs following the concerning events during the Euros on Saturday.

On Saturday, Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch while playing football for Denmark in a Euro 2020 match. It is believed that he suffered from a cardiac arrest and he was given CPR on the pitch and medics used a defibrillator.

The Trustees of Community Link Foundation spoke shortly after the incident and quickly agreed to set aside funding for three defibrillators which they will purchase on behalf of local sports clubs.

They would now like to invite sports clubs to apply for funding. The criteria is on the website and the club has to be located in Southport, Formby, Ormskirk and surrounding areas.

The trustees will then consider the applications and make a final decision on the three clubs to receive the life saving equipment.

Enda Rylands, chair of Community Link Foundation, said: “We know how important it is to get help quickly if someone has a heart attack or cardiac arrest. Having a defibrillator close by can really make a difference in saving someone’s life.

“After seeing what happened at the weekend, it just confirmed how important it is to have this equipment in our community.

“We hope that the equipment never needs to be used, but if it is ever needed, we want it to be close to hand and available as quickly as possible.

“We look forward to hearing from local clubs who would be interested.”

(Pictured are members of Southport Athletic JFC with Enda Rylands who presented them with a defibrillator purchased by CLF last year)