Swans kick-start defibrillator pledge

Swansea City will kick-start their defibrillator pledge in memory of local footballer Mitchell Joseph with the purchase of 15 life-saving units for community use.

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

Friends and team-mates carried out a bucket collection around the stadium before Monday night’s Premier League victory over Liverpool to raise funds for his family and fiancée Laura Davies.

The Swans pledged to match the amount raised and use the funds to purchase defibrillators, which deliver a dose of electric current to the heart, for use at the main playing fields in the Swansea League.

Swans and Liverpool supporters rallied to the cause and donated an amazing amount totalling £10,595.

It means the club will immediately purchase 15 defibrillators for the appeal with a further pledge to add another life-saving unit for every goal Carlos Carvalhal’s side score between now and the end of the season.

The club has also teamed up with Cariad, a registered non-profit defibrillators charity, to provide the units, basic life support training, on-going maintenance and a 24-hour emergency response service.

The rolling programme will then be reviewed in the summer with the aim of providing additional defibrillators throughout all the local football leagues in the area.

Mitchell’s family and friends will play a major role in helping to decide where the defibrillators are located with the support of the club, Cariad, the Council and the Swansea League.

There will also be a plaque in Mitchell’s memory placed with every defibrillator going forward.

A Swansea City spokesperson said: “This defibrillator programme will not only potentially help save lives in the community, but will also act as a permanent tribute to Mitchell’s memory.

“There is a very close football community in Swansea and his loss has been felt deeply by so many people – a fact that was highlighted with Monday night’s fantastic fundraising effort.

“We don’t see this as a Swansea City initiative, but a community programme with Mitchell’s friends and family at the ‘heart’ of it all.’’

A spokesperson for Mitchell’s family and friends added: “We would like to thank everyone for their kind words and overwhelming gestures over the last week. It just goes to show the love and respect everyone has for him.

“The response from all the fans and staff at Monday night’s game was unbelievable and the support from the football club has been amazing. We can’t thank everyone enough.

“Now with the assistance of the club and Cariad it will allow Mitch help others forever. ‘’

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

A further update will follow in due course.