Wire launch life-saver appeal

WARRINGTON Town Football Club has embarked on a fund-raising campaign for a vital piece of life saving equipment.
The club has teamed up with the Hand on Heart charity and local councillor Tony Higgins to help raise £1,500 towards the cost of a defibrillator which could help save the life of a player or supporter if they suffered a sudden cardiac arrest at a game.
The need for the equipment was highlighted earlier this year by the sad death of a local seven-year-old school boy Ciaran Geddes, who collapsed and died while playing football near his school earlier this year has highlighted the need for defibrillators in schools and public buildings.
Cllr Higgins, who donatated raffle prizes to the club to help with fund-raising, said: ” It important it is to get these life saving piece of equipment in all schools and public buildings and to raise public awareness of their importance.
We as a council are committed in supporting this campaign.”
Meanwhile the 10 pieces of the life saving equipment have been presented to 10 local primary schools in Warrington thanks to a charity set up in memory of the youngster called Ciaran’s Cause.
Donations to the charity have ensured the defibrillators are now in place at Birchwood C of E, Gorse Covert, St Benedict’s Catholic, St Stephen’s Catholic, Latchford C of E, St Alban’s Catholic, St Lewis’s Catholic, Stockton Heath, Barrow Hall Community and Oakwood Avenue Community Primary School
Clr Higgins added: “Ciaran’s mum Marika has done a fantastic job helping raise awareness and I think her achievements so far have been immense.”
Clr Higgins now has plans to meet MP Andy Burnham at Westminster in November to discuss making it a national campaign and bring in new legislation regarding
defibrillators.
Thanks to the raffle and a £100 donation from Warrington Rotary Club the football club is now well on with its fund-raising campaign.