Swans to host defibrillator launch night

Swansea City will officially launch their defibrillator programme in memory of local footballer Mitchell Joseph at a special training and awareness evening at the Liberty Stadium on Wednesday, March 7.

The event is designed to encourage members of the public to come along and receive expert training, awareness and advice on how to use a defibrillator and potentially help save someone’s life.

Mitchell, 33, passed away after suffering a heart attack during a game at Mynydd Newydd playing fields while playing for Swansea Senior League side St Josephs.

In his memory, the Swans pledged to match the £10,595 raised by his friends and family in a bucket collection before the Premier League game against Liverpool to purchase defibrillators for the main playing fields in the Swansea League and the surrounding communities.

The club also pledged to add another life-saving unit, which delivers a dose of electric current to the heart, for every goal Carlos Carvalhal’s side score between the Liverpool victory and the end of the season.

WThe club has teamed up with Welsh defibrillator charity Cariad to host an evening where supporters, local football club personnel, referees and members of the public can receive training on how to use a defibrillator if called upon.

Cariad, who will provide the units, basic life support training, ongoing maintenance and a 24-hour emergency response service, will also be on hand to raise awareness and answer any questions regarding the use of defibrillators and their importance.

Members of Mitchell’s family and his friends, who are playing a lead role in helping to decide where the defibrillators are located, will also be in attendance after helping to launch the programme by supplying their own defibrillator at Mynydd Newydd playing fields recently.

There will also be a plaque in Mitchell’s memory placed with every defibrillator going forward, together with a targeted awareness campaign.

The Liberty Stadium event will open to the public at 5pm with the first training session held between 5.15pm-6.15pm. There will be a second training session from 6.45pm-7.45pm.

If you would like to assist with the defibrillator programme in your area, or need further information on its lifesaving benefits, please visit Cariad at www.mycariad.org.