Guernsey footballer Ross Allen is encouraging islanders to learn CPR as he gives his support to Restart A Heart week.

Earlier this year Ross and his Green Lion’s teammates underwent CPR training with St John Training Services as part of one of their pre-season training sessions.

The training was arranged by St John following a request from Guernsey FC, shortly after the Euro 2020 tournament when Danish footballer Christian Erikson suffered a cardiac arrest during the match again Finland. Erikson was given immediate CPR and was resuscitated on the pitch.

Ross said: “CPR is something everyone should know. No-one wants to find themselves in that situation, but knowing what to do in an emergency can be life-saving. I would encourage everyone to learn how to recognise when someone is having a cardiac arrest and have the confidence to do chest compressions, which is why I think Restart A Heart week is such a good idea.”

GFC director Nic Legg added: “The club was extremely grateful to Heather at St John Training Services for running the CPR and AED demonstration this year. We are fortunate to have a defibrillator on at Footes Lane, our home ground. This was Guernsey’s first public access defibrillator, unveiled by former Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba back in 2013 after his own on-pitch collapse the previous year. We also have a portable defibrillator for away games.

“This training is an important extension of our preparedness. We all saw the importance of a fast response in this kind of situation, and if the worse did happen during a match, the players are the closest, so it’s great to feel they will know what to do in an emergency.”

Restart A Heart week is an annual initiative led by the Resuscitation Council UK, in partnership with the British Heart Foundation, British Red Cross, St John Ambulance and alliance of ambulance services. In Guernsey Restart A Heart week is supported by the Guernsey Cardiac Action Group, St John Emergency Ambulance Service and St John Ambulance volunteers.

In 2017 the initiative went global with the formation of World Restart a Heart Day which takes place on 16^th October every year with health organisations from all over the world working together to increase public awareness of cardiac arrests and increase the number of people trained in life saving CPR.

The Cardiac Action Group has organised a series of community training sessions (details below) Please call 07781 129539 to book a sessions.