Alan takes lifesaving message to more than 10,000 people in the war against SADS – all for the love of Joe

Alan takes lifesaving message to more than 10,000 people in the war against SADS – all for the love of Joe

Posted: Tue, 07 Oct 2014

Alan takes lifesaving message to more than 10,000 people in the war against SADS – all for the love of Joe

Alan Harrison-White, who volunteers for local charity the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust (JHMT), has travelled to all corners of the city and county to visit schools and sports clubs with a vital life-saving message.

Young people, sports coaches, parents and teachers have all benefitted from Alan's knowledge in CPR and his demonstrations of how defibrillators work, with Alan offering all of his time for free.

Alan has visited 50 school assemblies, speaking to 10,000 pupils and more than 500 teachers to tell them why CPR is so important. He and his wife, Jill, have trained 375 people in CPR on behalf of the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust and the British Heart Foundation. He has also trained sportspeople and staff at local cricket, football and hockey clubs.

While on his travels, Alan shares his lifesaving skills knowledge on CPR, how defibrillators work and the symptoms to look for about Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS), a group of heart conditions which claim the lives of 12 young people aged 12-35 every week in the UK.

The Joe Humphries Memorial Trust, a local charity, was set up in memory of Rothley teenager Joe Humphries, who collapsed and tragically died from SADS in October 2012 while out jogging.

Alan said: "I'm delighted to have reached this milestone, because the more people who know what to do to tackle this silent killer, the better.

"It's absolutely essential that we train as many people as possible in the skills that could one day help them to save a life. The statistics around sudden heart deaths – 12 young people dying a week – are staggering, but we can make a difference to this shocking figure.

"We need to ensure as many people as possible know CPR and how defibrillators work. What could be more important?"

JHMT Chair and Joe's dad Steve Humphries said: "Alan and his wife, Jill, donate all of their time for free and we're immensely grateful to them for their tireless and selfless efforts. Alan's achievement is truly fantastic, but what's even more amazing is that we know he won't stop here – he'll keep going, keep sharing his knowledge and spreading that vital message – that these deaths can be preventable, and that with a greater awareness and understanding of SADS, along with the right training, we can make a difference."

News of Alan's achievement comes during SADS Awareness Week 2014, which runs from 4-11 October.

During the week, local sporting clubs Leicester Tigers, Leicester City Football Club and Leicester Riders are uniting to help break the silence on SADS, holding CPR awareness sessions in half-time match breaks.

Community sports clubs, local groups and people from across Leicester and Leicestershire are also backing the week.

Posters raising awareness of SADS are also going up at sports clubs, schools and other community venues across the city and county.

To lend your support to SADS week, tweet "I'm breaking the silence on SADS" and using the hashtag #breakthesilence on Twitter. Direct your tweet at the JHMT Twitter feed, @JHMTorguk

Tags: CPR, SADS

Partners & Supporters

  • Trophy Parlour
    Barwood
    Leicester City Council
    Gateley
  • Agora
    De Lisle
    Gem 106
    6PM
  • Musical Village
    Demon Media
    Leicester Tigers
    Leicestershire and Rutland County FA
  • Longslade Community College
    AFC Andrews
    Cipher Entertainment
    Heartwize
  • Rothley Parish Council
    Inside Land
    Shepshed Lions - Community First Responders
    Pukaar News
  • Jessica Michelle School of Dance
    Soar Media
    ITV Central
    Jersey Budd
  • YHW
    Boden
    Loughborough Town Cricket Club
    Loughborough Echo
  • Arrhythmia Alliance
    UHL Trust
    British Heart Foundation
    LRSport
  • Health For Teens
    Westleigh Developments
    East Midlands Ambulance Service
    Samworth Brothers
  • Oak FM
    Leicester Mercury
    CKI Martial Arts
    De Montfort Students Union
  • Leicester Unity Boxing Club
    Dickinson & Morris
    Gleeds
    Warriors Basketball Club
  • Rawlins
    Leicester Legends
    Quorn Football Club
    Leicester Coritanian
  • BBC Radio Leicester
    Sports Cardiology UK
    Leicester City In the Community
    BBC
  • Provident IT Solutions
    David Wilson Homes
    Willmott Dixon
    Shepshed Lions Club - Community First Responders
  • Kasabian
    Leicestershire County Council
    Rothley Park Cricket Club
    Bradgate Park Trust
  • Sileby Town CC
    UK Paintball
    Leicester City FC Community Trust