GB Olympic hopeful Clarke backs #EveryBeatCounts defibrillator campaign

GB boxer and Tokyo 2020 Olympics prospect Cheavon Clarke has backed England Boxing #EveryBeatCounts Defibrillator campaign, saying: “This can save lives.”

There are more than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests across the UK every year and, without immediate treatment, 90 to 95 per cent of sudden cardiac arrest victims will die.

However, the chance of survival increases by 50 percent with immediate access to a life-saving defibrillator.

As a result, England Boxing has taken the proactive step of making it a requirement for all 900-plus affiliated clubs to install a defibrillator on their premises by June 2021, after first consulting with regional associations and getting feedback in May and July last year.

Speaking at the campaign launch at Aspire ABC in Sheffield on Wednesday (15th January), Under 91kg 2018 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Clarke explained that he had his own life saved by a defibrillator after suffering complications with his appendix.

“As I know from personal experience, a heart problem could affect anyone at any time, and having a defibrillator quickly to hand can be the difference between life and death,” he said.

“As a competing boxer, it’s very reassuring to know that, with the help of the #EveryBeatCounts campaign, the places where we all train will soon give anyone who encounters severe problems the best possible chance of survival.

“Of course, there is an initial cost to meet to make this happen, but you really can’t put a price on saving someone’s life.”

To help with nationwide installation in clubs, England Boxing has teamed up with charity London Hearts, who specialise in helping to roll out defibrillators across the UK.

Not only will clubs be able to purchase a defibrillator at a cut-price figure, they will also be able to spread that cost over the next 16 months and access free training on how to use the equipment and carry out CPR, as well as receive fundraising support, should they need it.

England Boxing has secured the following package for clubs:

Ipad SP1 Defibrillator offer

• Dual functioning defibrillator suitable for both adults and children with the flick of a switch
• Free training for boxing club members & parents
• 8-year warranty
• 2 sets of pads
• Responder kit which includes mask, scissors, razor and gloves
• Indoor bracket
• All maintenance includes replacement of pads

Funding support

The cost of above piece of equipment with training would normally be £1,150, plus additional training and maintenance, which can cost another £400, but with the discount secured in partnership with London Hearts will £900, and include the full list of benefits.

For further details on how to apply for a defibrillator, please click on londonhearts.org/apply-online

Clubs have the option of paying monthly which will spread the cost to £56.25 per month, while many of the high street banks will provide matched funding if approached.

It is also possible to secure a grant to help pay the cost of a defibrillator, and some of the funds available are detailed here.

To apply for funding support, please contact your regional Club Support Officer here.

Saving Lives

England Boxing’s Membership Services Manager, Lynette Mayo, said: “Boxing clubs are used by many different teams and groups, not just the boxing clubs themselves, but many of these integral community spaces currently do not have defibrillators in place.

“The new partnership between England Boxing and London Hearts aims to change that and ensure that in the future every boxer and spectator at every boxing club in England, no matter how big or small, will have access to a lifesaving heart defibrillator.

“The safety and wellbeing of its member boxers, officials, volunteers and spectators remains the number one priority for England Boxing, so we’re proud to be taking this step that can potentially have enormous benefits.”

Kim Lloyd-Owen, Senior Operations Manager added: “We’re delighted to be partnering with England Boxing on this campaign, as we are passionate about helping to save people’s lives all over the UK.

“We’ve already helped to place more than 1,500 defibrillators and trained almost 50,000 people in how to use them. The fact that amateur boxing in England is following suit at its venues and clubs will help to safeguard the risk from sudden cardiac arrests.”

If you already have a defibrillator in place in your club, or when you get yours in place, please remember to send us a picture with the title #EveryBeatCounts to enquiries@englandboxing.org or tag us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram and use the #EveryBeatCounts hashtag.

Thank you for your ongoing support in making our clubs safer.