Raising funds for Public Access Defibrillators

On 29th January 2022, Fulham Football Club's home match against Blackpool FC was paused in the 11th minute. The pause was due to my lovely Dad suffering a cardiac arrest in the Hammersmith End shortly after celebrating one of the season's many Aleksandar Mitrovic goals.

Out of the blue, my Dad; a busy, active, fit, happy, healthy man who didn't suffer as much as a cold in his life, collapsed without warning. It was a shock to us all; those who knew and loved him and those all around the ground. We were terrified; we didn't know what to do or how to help.

Thankfully, there were off-duty police officers and medics in the crowd who, almost instantly and heroically, came to Dad's aid, perfoming CPR and using a defibrillator to get his heart beating again - he left the ground to a standing ovation.

Devastatingly for us, Dad had a second fatal cardiac arrest outside the ground and we lost him to the Cottage in the Sky. We miss him so much.

My over-riding feeling from that day, apart from the obvious and overwhelming grief and trauma is the guilt I have because I didn't know how to help my Dad, when he always knew how to help others. I was by his side and I didn't know what to do. I didn't know how to spot the signs of a cardiac arrest or what action to take, apart from seeking help.

As a result, I have founded The Paul Alan Project, a charity that aims to train people to recognise the signs of a cardiac arrest, what to do and how to perform CPR and use a defibrillator.

We strongly believe that Public Access Defibrillators should be more widely accessible and aim to provide at least 50 of these to local communities and amateur sports teams by 2025. All funds raised will be used to purchase, fit and maintain upkeep of this vital lifesaving equipment - they cost between £500 and £1500 each and to purchase training kit for our trainers (manikins and training defibs.)

In order to achieve our wish of living in more heart safe communities we need to raise funds. Any amount you can spare will be gratefully received and utilised to fund and fit defibrillators and teach people how to spot the signs of a cardiac arrest and how to help.

CPR and defibrillator use can save lives. We believe that EVERYONE should have access to lifesaving skills. If you agree, please consider donating to our Project.

Thank you,

Clare

Founder, The Paul Alan Project