One of The Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Foundation’s nominated charities for the 2024/25 season, Heartwize, recently delivered CPR training to members of our Men’s First Team squad and Academy players at LCFC Training Ground.

The session equipped the players with basic life support skills, including adult and child hands-only CPR techniques, and was held ahead of our Premier League game with Brentford on Friday, a fixture dedicated to the charity.

The players also learned how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and gained valuable insights into post-incident welfare considerations.

Heartwize, established in 2014 by cardiologists Prof. William Toff and Dr. Doug Skehan, has grown into a volunteer-led programme with over 80 people giving up their time to support their mission, which is to train as many people as possible. This starts in schools and extends into communities by showing people how to give lifesaving CPR and to effectively use defibrillators.

This approach has already enabled them to reach over 60,000 people across Leicestershire, alongside significant outreach among schools, businesses and sports clubs. The result is an improvement in cardiac arrest survival rates through this vital education and engagement.

Ricardo Pereira, our Men’s First Team ambassador for the Heartwize fixture, said:

“This kind of training is so important - not just for us as players but for anyone. Knowing how to perform CPR or use a defibrillator could mean saving someone’s life in a critical moment."

“In an emergency situation, having the training and the confidence to step in could make all the difference. Everyone can learn this and we’re really proud to be helping Heartwize reach as many people as possible.”

The session in Seagrave emphasised the importance of swift, confident action during medical emergencies, highlighting how simple interventions can save lives.

It is through practical, small-group teaching just like this that Heartwize equips participants with the hands-on skills needed to take decisive action when it matters most.

By partnering with Leicester City, they have a further platform to show how dedicated training sessions on early CPR and defibrillation can drastically improve the chances of survival.

Prof. William Toff from Heartwize added: “The players demonstrated exceptional focus and enthusiasm during the training, understanding the critical importance of knowing how to respond in a cardiac emergency.

“Cardiac arrests can happen to anyone, at any time, and immediate intervention is often the difference between life and death. By learning hands-only CPR, how to use an AED, and the necessary steps to take after an incident, these players are not only equipped to act in emergencies but are also advocates for wider community awareness.”