SUDDEN CARDIAC ARREST IS THE UK'S BIGGEST KILLER. 100,000 PEOPLE PER YEAR. 15 YOUNG PEOPLE A WEEK.
North East Hearts with Goals was started by sisters in law Christine Stephenson & Kelly Best in 2013 for both personal and common sense reasons.
Kelly's husband and Christine's brother Neil died suddenly in 2003 at the age of 32. 10 years later Kelly's son was diagnosed with ARVC, a potentially fatal heart condition that could put him at risk of cardiac arrest.
After researching the best way to help and be pro-active it was decided to start placing lifesaving defibrillators into the local schools with a target of 5, safe to say that target was exceeded.
4 years later the charity has placed over 300 defibrillators around the North East and arranged training to use them. There are thousands more placements to make.
In lieu of Christmas gifts and cards this year, Coleman James is funding the cost and installation of an Automated external defibrillator (AED) in the local community. We hope to share pictures in the New Year once it is in situ.
Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are lightweight, battery-operated, portable devices that are simple to use. Sticky pads with sensors are attached to the chest of the person who is having sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).
The sensors send information about the person's heart rhythm to a computer in the AED. The computer analyzes the heart rhythm to find out whether an electric shock is needed. If a shock is needed, the AED uses voice prompts to tell you.
An AED will not shock in error. You cannot harm a person with an AED.
Using an AED to shock the heart within minutes of the start of SCA may restore a normal heart rhythm. Every minute counts.
Each minute of SCA leads to a 10 percent reduction in survival.
We will continue to support this charity through 2018. If you’d like to know more or wish to offer your support, please get in touch.