A NEW information leaflet has been launched carrying a vital life-saving message.

The leaflet, which is aimed at local sports clubs, gives advice on what to do if someone suffers a cardiac arrest.

It has been developed by local charity the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust (JHMT), in conjunction with Leicester City Council.

With the title 'The most important thing your sports club has to do this year', the leaflet also urges local clubs to sign up for free training in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which is available from the Trust.

The leaflet has been supported by Leicester City Council, which will send it to clubs across the city.

Deputy city mayor Cllr Rory Palmer, who chairs the city's health and wellbeing board, said: "This leaflet includes vitally important public health information and key facts about cardiac arrest, which can strike anyone, at any time and anywhere – including seemingly fit young people.

"If someone collapses in cardiac arrest, immediate action makes all the difference. Sports clubs, which play a vital role in the community, need to ensure everyone in their club is trained in these life-saving skills so that they can act quickly in the event of an emergency.

"I'd like to see Leicester becoming a national trail-blazer in this area, showing the rest of the country just how achievable it is to get more people trained in CPR and how to use a defibrillator. That's why I'm pleased to support the aims of the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust."

The Joe Humphries Memorial Trust campaigns for greater awareness of sudden heart deaths, as well as providing CPR training, delivered by health professionals, for sports clubs.

The training has been endorsed by the Resuscitation Council (UK).

Chairman Dr David Pitcher said: "The Resuscitation Council (UK) commends this initiative. It's just a 'no-brainer' to make sure that everyone has the simple skills and equipment to try to save a life.

"Most of us would want to be able to help someone on the brink of sudden death, whether it is a family member, friend or team-mate, or a complete stranger. Sports teams and clubs can play a crucial part in getting this message out to everyone, and making sure that participants, spectators, officials and others are given the best possible chance of survival if one of them suffers sudden cardiac arrest."

Martin Johnson CBE, JHMT patron and former England rugby captain, said: "Our training programme for sports clubs is called Joe's Mini HeartStart for Sports, and I hope more clubs sign up to take part in the scheme. Nothing is more important than keeping young people safe, by being prepared and knowing how to act in an emergency situation."

Community football club AFC Andrews, based in Aylestone, is one of the local clubs leading the way in lifesaving training, and has also installed a defibrillator which is available for community use at any time.

Darren Creed from AFC Andrews said: "It's vitally important for parents to know that when their kids attend their local sports club, everyone there is aware what to do, not just one or two first-aiders.

"It's also really important that a defibrillator is available in case of an emergency. Sports clubs should do all they can to ensure they're ready to act in a worst-case scenario.

"That's why we didn't hesitate to sign up for the training from JHMT, learn vital life-saving skills and get a defibrillator installed. This training really is the most important thing local clubs have to do this year."

To find out more information about the training and to view an online copy of the leaflet, visit www.jhmt.org.uk/heartstart

Find out more about the city council's public health work at www.leicester.gov.uk/ourhealthycity