Football club helps promote lifesaving CPR training

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 is 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.

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 and the club, combining clinical expertise with community reach, Tutton added.

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.