2 weeks Ago
Youngsters and football coaches have helped get a life saving piece of equipment put out at a junction notorious for its traffic accidents. The external defibrillator has been mounted on the outside wall of the Pineapple Pub on Blackburn Road in Astley Bridge in case people need emergency cardiac care. The funds needed to install the machine were raised by youth mental health and wellbeing charity Peniks Division and Astley Bridge Junior Football Club.
Coach Hughie Benson said: “We fundraised for a year to raise enough money for the defib and cabinet. “It was all done through fundraising by the staff and kids. Fundraisers worked hard to make the machine a reality (Image: Kenland Media Relations) “No big sponsor or help; they’ve done it all by themselves.
” The campaign involved a charity football match, a sponsored CPR event and sponsored walks led by some of the older club members. The scheme honours the memory of a man who died at the location of Blackburn Road last year which Mr Benson, a former Regimental Sergeant Major, desperately tried to respond to. It also commemorates the life of a friend of the football club and the wider Astley Bridge community who died in 2018.
Both will be remembered by having their names inscribed on a memorial plaque that will be put up alongside the defibrillator. This will aim to ensure their legacies are tied to the new health resource. Pineapple Pub landlord Rilind Muho said: “It’s a fantastic achievement and a much-needed piece of equipment at this junction.
” The installation was part of the Pheniks Life Saving Army, an initiative run by Pheniks Division, which is has trained more than 15,000 primary school children in CPR. The group has also helped with installing more than 60 defibrillators in boxing and football clubs around the UK that otherwise would not have the financial means to put them in. ALSO READ: Renowned boxing club helps veterans train and build up 'friendship circles' ALSO READ: Memory of much loved husband and dad who died at beauty spot lives on to help others ALSO READ: 'Defibs should be everywhere' - quick thinking leisure centre worker who saved life Astley Bridge Junior Football Club vice chairman Phil Sutcliffe said: “The kids have been brilliant.
“We held a presentation evening with a heads & tails competition and one young player, Noah Juson, won £100 and immediately put it towards the fundraising, a true measure of the core values of our club members. “Now we’re turning our attention to growing the facility at Stapleton Avenue Playing Fields, looking at acquiring new land for additional pitches and upgrading the changing rooms. “As a CIC we’re actively looking for corporate sponsors and partners to help us in our efforts.
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