Life-saving machine donated to Old Halesonians rugby club following death of teenager (From Halesowen News)
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Life-saving machine donated to Old Halesonians rugby club following death of teenager
12:20pm Tuesday 18th September 2012 in News
“Hearts” of England representatives John Freestone (left) Alan Chapman and Stephen Ward present the defribulator to Old Halesonians junior section chairman John Wragg and U16s coach Paul Dando, flanked by young players. (To buy:391221M)
A LIFE-saving heart start machine has been presented to the Old Halesonian’s mini and junior rugby section in memory of their team-mate who collapsed and died during a school game.
Fifteen-year-old Luke Chapman fell victim to sudden cardiac death while playing for Haybridge High School at Kidderminster’s Baxter College earlier this year.
His grandfather, Alan Chapman, who is a member of The “Hearts” of England Association, handed over a defribulator to the Wassell Grove club at a special ceremony on Sunday.
Mini and junior section chairman Haybridge teacher John Wragg, who fought to revive Luke when he collapsed on the pitch, said the machine would be available for use by the whole club.
“We are very grateful for this. It could save lives and all our first aiders and coaches will be trained in the use of the equipment in the next few weeks,” he said.
The “Hearts” of England Association is a West Midlands’ charity run, by a small team of volunteers and their supporters, which raises money for specific projects identified by hospital cardiology departments.
It has previously donated a defribulator to the Halesowen Cycling and Athletics Club.
Meanwhile, Luke’s family and friends have raised £10,000 for the Luke Chapman Memorial Fund, which will be divided between local charities and Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), founded in 1995 to raise awareness of the conditions that can cause sudden cardiac death in apparently fit and healthy young people.
The Old Halesonians minis and juniors presented a £500 cheque to the fund on Sunday, and last night a rugby match in memory of Luke involving both his team-mates from school and the club was due to be held between Haybridge and Hagley RC and Old Halesonians.
Haybridge High School is also holding the first of an annual schools’ U16s rugby tournament in memory of Luke, next Friday (September 28).
