You’ve probably seen defibrillators at sports clubs, transport hubs and even in village phone boxes, but there’s a good chance you don’t understand just show important they can be.
A defibrillator is a device that gives a high energy electric shock to the heart of someone who is in cardiac arrest. This high energy shock is called defibrillation, and it’s an essential part in trying to save the life of someone who’s having a heart attack.
Northamptonshire County Cricket Club is working hard to get defibrillators installed at every club in our county, and here’s why it’s so critical that we succeed.
During the summer of 2021, defibrillators were used in two separate incidents at Northamptonshire cricket clubs. One of the players involved was Terry Butt, well known across the county as a wily bowler, owner of local business Butt Savouries and as captain of Northamptonshire’s Over 50s cricket team.
Last August while bowling at Burton Latimer, Terry collapsed and his heart stopped. Effectively, Terry died at that moment and had it not been for the club’s close-to-hand defibrillator, and the quick reactions and training of one of the club members, Terry wouldn’t be alive today.
Terry knows how close he came to losing his life.
“I’ll never really be able to explain how much it means to me, that the club had invested in a defibrillator and that there was someone on hand who knew how to use it.
“Thanks to both of them, I’m recovering fast and I have every intention of returning to play cricket in 2022. My family and I will always be grateful that I got this second chance.”
In partnership with The Club Cricket Charity and Community Heartbeat, we want to help as many clubs as possible to install defibrillators and importantly, train club members to use them.
Every club in Northamptonshire benefits from a special ECB negotiated defibrillator price and also qualifies for an NCCC subsidy which will save a further £100.
We want this lifesaving equipment to be ready for the new season, so through Steelbacks in the Community, we’re offering to pay for the units to be installed now, with clubs then able to repay the cost using income generated in the summer.
Full training is part of the offer, either at your club or in the local community.
We all hope that this piece of equipment never needs to be used. But as Terry Butt’s story proves, nobody can tell what’s in the future and it’s better that your club is ready, just in case.
For more information and details of the Steelbacks in the Community offer, contact your Clubs & Community Officers, Patricia (patricia.hankins@nccc.co.uk) or Jim (jim.hawkins@nccc.co.uk).