News Release
Media Contact: Steve Hayes
01789 520 314
[email protected]
Ledbury woman set for daring skydive in memory of her father who
died after sudden cardiac arrest
16th September 2013, Ledbury, Herefordshire: A Ledbury woman is set to face her fears and take
part in a skydive to raise funds for a lifesaving defibrillator in memory of her father as part of a highprofile campaign.
Katie Blandford lost her father Stan after he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest back in May and has
now joined up to Arrhythmia Alliance’s Hearts & Goals campaign to raise funds for an AED
(automated external defibrillator) for the community in his memory.
The 21-year-old veterinary nurse will face her fears when she takes part in a fundraising skydive
from Redlands Airfield, in Swindon, on September 28th.
Speaking about father-of-four, Stan, who died aged just 55 after collapsing on the family’s farm in
Dymock, Gloucestershire, Katie said: “It’s a cliché to say your parents are the best in the world, but
he really was such an amazing dad.
“He was such a kind person and he really never had a bad word to say about anyone. He was just so
positive and I think that is what has inspired us to turn what happened to him into something good.
“What happened to him was devastating for us as a family and we are still coming to terms with it.
“The day it happened I didn’t know what was going on at first. I saw that the cows were out and
thought that was unusual and then the next thing I knew there was an emergency responder
outside.
“They asked me where the person who had suffered the cardiac arrest was and I didn’t know what
they meant. And then it suddenly dawned on me that something must have happened to Dad.
“We rushed up to find my youngest brother, Mark, giving CPR to dad and I just couldn’t believe it.
“Dad was still a very active person, he had to be working on the farm. He was a massive sports fan
and played a lot. The night before he collapsed he had been himself and joking around as usual. It
was just a total shock.
“We are determined to make sure that everyone is protected with a defibrillator in Dymock now in
his memory.”
News Release
Media Contact: Steve Hayes
01789 520 314
[email protected]
AEDs (automated external defibrillators) do not require training and can be used by anyone to
shock a person’s heart back into normal rhythm if they suffer a sudden cardiac arrest. They increase
the chance of someone surviving from 5% to 50%.
Hearts & Goals was launched by Arrhythmia Alliance to tackle the UK’s biggest killer: sudden
cardiac arrest and with Fabrice Muamba as ambassador, the charity has helped place lifesaving
defibrillators in communities up and down the country.
Fabrice Muamba, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest on the football pitch back in March 2012 but
thanks to early intervention with CPR and shocks from an AED went on to make a remarkable
recovery.
Speaking about the challenge, Katie said: “I am terrified of heights and I hate airplanes so it is
certainly going to be interesting.
“But I’m the type of person when someone says I can’t do something I make sure I do and the fact
it’s for this cause and in memory of Dad gives me all the inspiration I need.”
Trudie Lobban MBE, Founder and CEO of Arrhythmia Alliance, said: “To see Katie turn this terrible
tragedy into something positive is truly inspiring.
“Because she and her family know only too well the consequences of sudden cardiac arrest they are
determined to make a difference.
“AEDs (automated external defibrillators) dramatically increase the chance of a person surviving in
the event of them suffering a sudden cardiac arrest.
“As Stan’s case tragically highlights, cardiac arrest can strike anyone at any time. It is the UK's
biggest killer, causing 100,000 deaths every year. Every community should have public-access AEDs
available 24/7 ready in cases of emergency.
“What Katie is doing is helping to tackle this problem and we wish her the best of luck for her
skydive. I cannot think of a better legacy for Stan.”
For more information visit www.heartsandgoals.org
Facts, figures and important points:
1. Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a heart rhythm disorder that results in 100,000 deaths in the
UK each year, killing more people than lung cancer, breast cancer and Aids combined
2. When CPR is administered to someone who has suffered an SCA, they have just a 5%
chance of survival
News Release
Media Contact: Steve Hayes
01789 520 314
[email protected]
3. When CPR and an AED (a defibrillator) are used together, the average chance of survival
goes up to 50%, a ten-fold increase over CPR alone
4. If used in the first four minutes after SCA, defibrillators can give victims an 80% chance of
survival - a massive 16-fold increase compared to CPR alone. However, the survival rate
drops by 14% for every additional minute.
5. AEDs are defibrillators that any member of the public can use without training to
resuscitate someone who has suffered a sudden cardiac arrest
6. AEDs come equipped with an internal computer and automated voice, which guides users
through every step. They monitor heart activity once pads are fitted to the patient and
instruct the user accordingly based on the readings they take. AEDs also internally self-test,
provide a clear indication with a green or red light whether there is any fault and hosts are
fully trained on the daily checking procedures.
- ends Notes:
1) Arrhythmia Alliance is a coalition of patients, charities, professional medical organisations
and industry groups that works to promote the timely diagnosis and effective management
of arrhythmias. By raising awareness and campaigning for the improved detection and care
of heart rhythm disorders, Arrhythmia Alliance aims to extend and improve the lives of the
millions around the world that these conditions affect.
2) The Hearts & Goals website can be found at www.heartsandgoals.org
3) The Arrhythmia Alliance website can be found at www.heartrhythmcharity.org.uk
4) To learn more, or to arrange an interview, please contact Steve Hayes at
[email protected], 01789 520 314.