THE family of a rugby player who died after suffering an undiagnosed heart problem on the field has presented Perthshire RFC with major lifesaving equipment, writes Iain Howie.
Royal Marine and Glasgow Hawks player Craig Hodgkinson (27) tragically died in 2007 – and his parents set up a trust in his name to raise money and, in turn, give clubs and organisations automated external defibrillators (AED).
Perthshire RFC received its AED – which delivers a controlled electric shock to the heart in order to restore a normal heartbeat after a cardiac arrest – from the trust and says it will also be made available to runners, cricketers and other users of the North Inch when the club is open.
Jerry Saunders, head of senior rugby at Perthshire RFC, said: “Perthshire Rugby Club is delighted to accept such a vital piece of equipment. This machine could mean the difference between life and death in an emergency, and will be a vital resource for our staff, players, supporters and everyone else who uses and visits the club.
“We are committed to ensure that our staff and volunteers are trained and updated in vital life-saving skills.”
Mr Saunders added that the equipment will accompany the players and supporters to matches at clubs where AEDs are not available.
John and Diane Hodgkinson, founders of the Craig Hodgkinson Memorial Trust, said: “It is our belief that it might have been possible to have saved Craig’s life had a defibrillator been available.
“For this reason we want to help prevent another family from suffering such a devastating loss.
“We hope that lives will be saved as a result of the defibrillators we are helping to provide around the country, and are proud to support placing this AED in Perth.”
The trust works with the British Heart Foundation and the Scottish Ambulance Service.
Marjory Burns, Director of the British Heart Foundation Scotland, said: “My sincere thanks go to the Craig Hodgkinson Memorial Trust, and especially to John and Diane for their commitment to raising such a fantastic amount and creating a lasting and meaningful legacy for Craig.
“By working with BHF Scotland to purchase these defibrillators, they really will help to save lives.”
For more information, look up http://www.glasgowhawks.com/cms/craig_hodgkinson
THE family of a rugby player who died after suffering an undiagnosed heart problem on the field has presented Perthshire RFC with major lifesaving equipment, writes Iain Howie.
Royal Marine and Glasgow Hawks player Craig Hodgkinson (27) tragically died in 2007 – and his parents set up a trust in his name to raise money and, in turn, give clubs and organisations automated external defibrillators (AED).
Perthshire RFC received its AED – which delivers a controlled electric shock to the heart in order to restore a normal heartbeat after a cardiac arrest – from the trust and says it will also be made available to runners, cricketers and other users of the North Inch when the club is open.
Jerry Saunders, head of senior rugby at Perthshire RFC, said: “Perthshire Rugby Club is delighted to accept such a vital piece of equipment. This machine could mean the difference between life and death in an emergency, and will be a vital resource for our staff, players, supporters and everyone else who uses and visits the club.
“We are committed to ensure that our staff and volunteers are trained and updated in vital life-saving skills.”
Mr Saunders added that the equipment will accompany the players and supporters to matches at clubs where AEDs are not available.
John and Diane Hodgkinson, founders of the Craig Hodgkinson Memorial Trust, said: “It is our belief that it might have been possible to have saved Craig’s life had a defibrillator been available.
“For this reason we want to help prevent another family from suffering such a devastating loss.
“We hope that lives will be saved as a result of the defibrillators we are helping to provide around the country, and are proud to support placing this AED in Perth.”
The trust works with the British Heart Foundation and the Scottish Ambulance Service.
Marjory Burns, Director of the British Heart Foundation Scotland, said: “My sincere thanks go to the Craig Hodgkinson Memorial Trust, and especially to John and Diane for their commitment to raising such a fantastic amount and creating a lasting and meaningful legacy for Craig.
“By working with BHF Scotland to purchase these defibrillators, they really will help to save lives.”
For more information, look up http://www.glasgowhawks.com/cms/craig_hodgkinson

This article was posted on 20-Jan-2012, 18:28 by Hugh Barrow.