British Heart Foundation Named Official Charity Partner for 2024-25
Grassroots football clubs across Teesside and North Yorkshire have formed a fundraising partnership with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to help pay for lifesaving research and training.
North Riding FA, which represents 235 clubs, has adopted BHF as its Official Charity Partner after working closely together over the past two years to roll out CPR and defibrillator use training through the BHF’s RevivR app.
North Riding FA Chief Executive, Steven Wade said: “We’ve seen how very supportive the teams have been in getting behind the CPR training and access to defibrillators. There have been a number of high-profile cardiac arrests across the football community like Christian Eriksen, and sadly some tragedies involving sudden cardiac deaths of young players. This has all brought this issue very much front of mind.
“Now we want to ensure through the fundraising partnership that we can continue to support the lifesaving research of the BHF and promote their wider work.
“From past experience, we know that we can rely upon the kindness and generosity of those involved in the game, be that as a player, coach, referee, parent, spectator or volunteer.
“Staff at North Riding FA will be organising a variety of events and challenges, including sponsored runs and walks, and we’ll be organising football tournaments, encouraging donations, and inviting any club, league, or volunteer to hold their own BHF fundraising events across the region.”
North Riding FA will continue to encourage players and supporters to learn CPR using RevivR, which teaches it in 15 minutes, and to promote the installation of defibrillators.
British Heart Foundation Fundraising Manager, Leya Baksh said: “We are absolutely delighted that the North Riding FA have entered into this fundraising partnership, building on the past two years of incredible support for our BHF CPR training programme through the RevivR app.
“The football community in the region are a real force for good and will help the BHF fund vital research into heart and circulatory conditions like heart attacks, stroke and vascular dementia, as well as the risk factors that can cause them, such as diabetes and high blood pressure.”