A girls’ group have installed their fifth defibrillator in Blackburn with Darwen after being inspired by a footballer who suffered cardiac arrest on the pitch.
Members of the IMO Charity Senior Girls group installed their first defibrillator at the Masjid E Saliheen in Didsbury Street, Blackburn, and have never looked back.
The group started fundraising in October 2021 on the back of their Social Action project, ‘Doorstep Sport +’ which was funded by Street Games.
They had been motivated to raise funds after seeing how medics helped save Danish footballer Christian Eriksen in the 2020 European Championships.
Eriksen, who now plays club football for Manchester United, collapsed and was revived on the pitch with the help of the important life-saving machine.
The girls' fifth defibrillator has now been installed at the Old Mother Redcap pub in Blackburn Road.
Alyssa, who is an employee of the pub, said: “We at Old Mother Redcap would like to thank those at IMO and Benefit Mankind for their hard work in helping us secure a defibrillator for the restaurant and the surrounding community.
"Without the IMO and Benefit Mankind’s donation, this would not have been possible.
“Our restaurant and the local community thank them immensely. A special thank you to the Fire Department and Ninja Coffee for supporting our cause. We appreciate this effort so very much!”
Head of programmes at IMO Charity, Jason Thompson, said: “It’s fantastic to see how IMO’s collaboration with Benefit Mankind to provide these defibrillators is, quite literally, saving lives.
"The fundraising our young people undertook is having a profound impact on our communities across Blackburn with Darwen in purchasing this vital equipment.”
Abdussamad Mulla, chief executive of Benefit Mankind, added: “We would like to express profound appreciation to our esteemed partners at IMO Charity for their unwavering commitment and support in bringing the Defib project to fruition.
"This collaborative endeavour has resulted in the installation of a total of five life-saving defibrillator machines within the localities of Blackburn and Darwen.
“Through this joint effort, we have not only placed these critical life-saving devices strategically but have also fortified the resilience and safety of our community.
"These defibrillators stand as beacons of hope, ready to respond swiftly and decisively in times of medical emergencies, potentially saving precious lives.
"The profound impact of this initiative resonates far and wide, reflecting the power of partnerships and the dedication of organisations like Benefit Mankind and IMO Charity to serve and protect our community.
"Together, we have taken a significant step towards ensuring the well-being and security of the residents of Blackburn and Darwen, and we remain committed to furthering our shared mission for a healthier and safer tomorrow.
"We aim to continue saving lives with the Defib project and if anyone wishes to support, kindly visit benefitmankind.co.uk/defib.”
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