Wales-wide CPR appeal led by Tom Lockyer and Wrexham fan
Former Wales international Tom Lockyer has teamed up with fellow cardiac arrest survivor and Wrexham supporter Maurice Jones to front a Wales-wide call for football fans to learn CPR.
The initiative forms part of the latest phase of the Every Minute Matters campaign, run by Sky Bet in partnership with the British Heart Foundation, marking Heart Month in February.
Lockyer, who collapsed during high-profile matches while playing for Luton Town in 2023, met Mr Jones at Bristol Rovers’ training ground to share their experiences and highlight the importance of immediate action during a cardiac arrest.
Mr Jones, 72, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while attending a League One away fixture at Wycombe Wanderers on 15 March last year. He was given CPR and shocked three times with a defibrillator before being taken to hospital, with the match halted for 40 minutes as medical staff treated him.
As part of the campaign, football figures including Micah Richards, Jermain Defoe, Glenn Hoddle, Sam Allardyce, Phil Jagielka, Fabrice Muamba, Bobby Zamora and Dion Dublin are sharing images on social media making a heart-hands gesture to encourage supporters to “Show Your Heart” and learn CPR using the BHF’s free RevivR tool.
Professional football across the English Football League will also pause to make the point. Thirty-six EFL fixtures, played between 5 and 9 February across all three divisions, will kick off one minute later than scheduled to underline how every minute matters in a cardiac emergency.
Speaking as part of the campaign, Lockyer said:
“Maurice’s story is incredibly moving and the fact that he is still here is testament to the immediate intervention of the first responders. Neither of us would both not be alive today if it wasn’t for people’s willingness to step up and start immediate CPR. Every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces a person’s chance of surviving a cardiac arrest by up to 10%.”
He added: “One of the most powerful things that you can do – for your friends, family and fellow fans – is to show your heart and learn CPR this heart month. That’s why, we are on a mission to build an army of lifesavers, fans that can step up and perform CPR, because when every minute matters, that knowledge can save a life. The BHF’s RevivR tool takes just 15 minutes – and it’s free and easy to use.”
Mr Jones said: “Without the quick action of those around me to perform CPR I wouldn’t be here – both Tom and I are living proof of that. It was amazing to meet a Welsh footballing legend and know that so many famous faces – and the entire Wrexham team – are backing this campaign. I’m hoping that sharing my story will encourage fellow fans to come together to show their heart and learn CPR this heart month.”
According to the British Heart Foundation, there are around 2,800 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in Wales each year, with survival rates remaining low when CPR is not started quickly.
To learn CPR in just 15 minutes, search BHF RevivR or visit revivr.bhf.org.uk
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