Billesdon Cricket Club has funded the new defibrillator thanks to donations from the Leicestershire & Rutland Cricket League and Billesdon Community Post Office and a contribution from club's own funds.

The external cabinet which will keep the defibrillator safe has been donated by the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust (JHMT), which works with sports clubs and community groups to raise awareness of sudden heart deaths, particularly in young people.

During SADS Awareness Week on Friday 7 October 2022, around 15 – 20 Billesdon Cricket Club members will take part in the Trust's Joe's Mini HeartStart for Sports Clubs CPR & AED training programme which aims to ensure sports club members, including players, officials and volunteers, know how to use a defibrillator and can perform CPR in an emergency.

James Stiff, Vice-Chairman of Billesdon Cricket Club said: "Billesdon Cricket Club are proud to be a part of the local community. We give the opportunity for people of all ages and ability to play cricket in a safe and friendly environment. We very pleased to have a public accessible defibrillator on site and to join so many other Leicestershire cricket clubs in becoming heartsafe. Hopefully, it will never need to be used but the defibrillator will be a valuable addition not only to the cricket club but also the wider community. "

Billesdon Cricket Club have a long history with the earliest known fixture dating back to 1843. The club is renowned for being a friendly, sociable and inclusive village cricket club and has around 70 members. There's two senior sides play on a Saturday, one casual Sunday side and the club also run age group cricket from 6 & upwards.

Steve Humphries from the JHMT said: "Congratulations to everyone at Billesdon Cricket Club, led by James Stiff, for all their hard work behind the scenes to help create a heartsafe environment for club members, visiting teams and the local community. Sudden cardiac arrest can strike anyone, anywhere, anytime and of any age, including seemingly fit and healthy young people. It's vitally important everyone learns CPR and knows how to use a defibrillator – and that defibrillators are readily available on or off the field of play in case of a cardiac emergency. Being prepared is key."

The JHMT is a local charity which was set up in memory of Leicester teenager Joe Humphries, who in October 2012 collapsed and died while out jogging near his family home in Rothley. Joe was a victim of sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS) – a group of lethal heart diseases which can cause sudden cardiac death in young people.

As well as providing free CPR and defibrillator training, the JHMT works hard to raise awareness of sudden heart deaths, helps to provide community defibrillators and runs Inspire, a local grants scheme for inspirational young people in the city and county.

Everards Leicestershire and Rutland Cricket League's premier division has made it a league requirement for all premier league clubs to sign up to the Leicestershire and Rutland Heart Awareness in Cricket (HAC) partnership. As part of the requirements, all clubs must have a defibrillator at their grounds and provide CPR and defibrillator training for the membership of each club, including players, coaches and officials.

Andrew Hibberd, Senior Club Network Officer, Leicestershire County Cricket Club said: "It's really pleasing to see another cricket club doing what they can to ensure a heart safe environment. Well done to James, Paul and the team at Billesdon Cricket Club for all their hard work behind the scenes working with JHMT to make this possible. We'd love to see more clubs go through this process and urge clubs to get in touch for more information and support. No obstacle should stand in the way, and we can help with ideas to overcome any issues clubs may feel they have in becoming heart safe."

To find out more about the work of the Trust, apply for training and support, or to help out with the charity's work, visit the website at www.jhmt.org.uk and www.jhmt.org.uk/impact