Kenilworth Rugby Football Club joins campaign to help save lives in the community

The Kenilworth Rugby Football Club has joined a campaign to help save lives in the community.

Kenilworth Rugby Football Club was founded in 1924 and moved to their current ground in Glasshouse Lane, Kenilworth in 1947.

Some years ago they acquired a defibrillator in case club members or guests suffered a cardiac arrest at the club.

The money was raised by the then 1st XV Manager, Joss Selby who raised sponsorship in excess of £1,000 from local businesses and club members by a sponsored run of 90 miles over 30 consecutive days (three miles per day).

He was inspired to do it following Fabrice Muamba, a 23-year-old professional soccer player, collapsing during a game after suffering cardiac arrest.

The equipment remained on the premises for club use.

At the beginning of this year the Club became aware of the Kenilworth HeartSafe campaign to put Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) throughout Kenilworth, available 24/7 to the public.

They wanted to become part of this campaign but needed to raise funds for the cost of a safe/cabinet and the necessary installation to an electricity supply.

“The Pirates” came to the rescue.

A team of rugby veterans held a pre-match fundraising lunch in January which raised the necessary money.

The pandemic then intervened and delayed matters, but the AED is now installed on the outside of the clubhouse and is available to the public 24/7.

It is also registered with the West Midlands Ambulance Service in case of 999 calls.

President Willie Whitesmith said: “We are delighted to continue our tradition of community support”.

Rob Blacklock, the club medical advisor, and recently retired surgeon, said: “In cases of cardiac arrest it is vital to administer CPR and defibrillation quickly.

"This AED will make a major contribution to making Kenilworth HeartSafe in our locality”.

For more information on the Kenilworth Heartsafe campaign go to: http://kenilworthheartsafe.com/