U18s choose TOBE-Heartsafe to raise awareness of cardiac screening and life support training
Aylesford Bulls U18 Academy Rugby Team are supporting not-for-profit www.TOBE-Heartsafe.org.uk. Thanks to current kit sponsors Cinked – the direct marketing agency. The Cinked team were trained in BLS (Basic Life Support) and the use of a defibrillator this Summer by TOBE’s cardiac nurses, where they found out more about their mission to extend cardiac screening to the under 35s and the importance of basic life support training. They decided to use the TOBE logo instead of their own, to help raise awareness with the rugby community in London and the South East for the season.
The TOBE-Heartsafe team are looking to build their relationship with Aylesford Bulls, introducing BLS training to the squad to cover CPR and the use of an AED. Head coach Steve Lamb confirms:
“We know how important it is for everyone to have basic life support training, ensuring they understand how to use defibrillators at the club. Survival rates can be as high as 60-70% in young people when resuscitation is started by bystanders.”
Lucia Amato, one of the specialist cardiac nurses, whose son plays for the U18s Academy confirms: “ Every day, strong and healthy young people die suddenly from heart conditions they didn’t know they had. TOBE-Heartsafe is on a mission to provide cardiac screening, CPR training, and defibrillators for schools, sports clubs and communities up and down the country. We’re delighted to be able to work with Aylesford Bulls and their coaches, players, and supporters in this important programme.”
Cinked Director Scott Seabrook confirmed: “This summer our team were trained in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and we found out just how much a difference that can make in saving lives. At the same time, the TOBE team are targeting schools and sports clubs to talk to young people engaged in organised sport and we felt this was a great opportunity to raise awareness as part of our sponsorship.”
TOBE-Heartsafe (TOBE) was created out of a tragedy when in July 2019, 22-year-old Toby (or Tobe as he was known to friends and family) was found dead on his bedroom floor by his mother – Sam Richards – from an undiagnosed heart condition. At the time of death he was fitter and healthier than he’d ever been. His death was registered as SADS – Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome.The tragedy brought together a team of people and specialists who decided to form a CIC (Community Interest Company) to extend screen and training services beyond just the few who can afford to pay for them, building in a like-for-like plan to offer services free of charge to those in the local community.
The TOBE team has over 40 years of experience within healthcare including cardiology specialists, sport & fitness. The consultant cardiologists work across leading hospitals including St Bart’s, Great Ormond Street Hospital, and The John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.
To simply donate to the community program or find out more go to tobe-heartsafe.org.uk
