Joe’s Trust (JHMT) Helps Boxing Club to Become Heart Safe
Posted: Wed, 28 Nov 2018
The Waterfront Sports and Education Academy (WSEA) has recently installed a defibrillator at the front of its building, on Marjorie Street.
Through its association with the JHMT, the club was able to purchase a defib at a subsidised rate. Staff from WSEA kindly donated their coaching fees towards the cost of the defib, and members' weekly fees were also put towards the costs.
The external cabinet for the defib was funded by the JHMT. Members of WSEA have already taken part in Joe's Mini Heartstart For Sports club training – training provided by the JHMT which covers cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and how to use a defibrillator.
These key lifesaving sessions are being provided for free by the JHMT to community sports clubs across the city and county, led by JHMT's lead trainer Alan Harrison White.
The JHMT is committed to helping sports clubs and community groups to become heart safe by having quick access to a defibrillator and training hundreds of people every year in vital CPR skills and AED familiarisation.
As well as providing training and funding, the JHMT works tirelessly to raise awareness of sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS), a group of undiagnosed heart conditions which can lead to sudden cardiac death in seemingly fit and healthy young people taking part in sport and physical activity.
At least 12 young people aged 12-35 die in the UK each week from undiagnosed heart conditions like SADS.
Recognising any warning symptoms and having quick access to a defibrillator within eight minutes – and someone who knows CPR – will drastically increase a victim's chances of survival.
Michael Burgess, CEO of Waterfront Sports and Education Academy, said: "The Joe Humphries Trust has been a great help in helping with the set up of the project. They have helped us get a defibrillator in the heart of the Belgrave community, which the public can access 24/7.
"The hope for all is that the defib will never be required; however, having the equipment installed and the associated training has provided a general sense of reassurance to staff and those associated with WSEA, from participants to parents."
Currently 350 people visit WSEA on a weekly basis, with participants ranging from 6-55 years of age.
WSEA was originally formed in 1998 as a local boxing club, and has now grown into a community hub facilitating a wide range of sporting activities in addition to boxing. The club also operates an education academy, providing alternative education provision for young people in the Leicester area.
Michael added: "When required, the difference between having and not having a defibrillator can be devastating. There is a misconception that fit and healthy individuals are exempt from fatal conditions like SADS, and with so much physical activity taking place at WSEA it was essential that we did more to provide individuals with potentially life-saving skills. Furthermore, public defibs are located up and down the country so the skills learnt through the defib training at WSEA contribute to a wider national agenda and could help save a life anywhere in the country.
"No-one is exempt from unexpected heart conditions, even the healthiest of individuals. If a defibrillator can save the life of just one person, then it has served its purpose."
The JHMT also runs the Inspire Awards, a small grants scheme that helps young people aged 13-21 to fulfill their ambitions in sports, arts, entrepreneurism and community ventures.
To find out more about the work of the JHMT, its free training for sports and community groups, or the Inspire Awards, visit www.jhmt.org.uk. You can also find the JHMT on Facebook and Twitter:
