Golcar United have teamed up with Huddersfield Round Table to install a new life-saving defibrillator for the benefit of the local community.

United fan John Sykes was moved to start a petition for a defibrillator after Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch at the start of the Euro 2020 championships.

John said: “I set up a petition in reaction to what I’d seen happen at the Euros. I shared it all around Facebook.”

John contacted Robert Clay at Huddersfield Round Table, an organisation which had previously supplied defibrillators, and he in turn got in touch with Golcar United secretary Ben Senior.

“It all went from there,” added John. “The idea is that anyone can use it in an emergency, it’s something the whole community can use if needed.”

The device gives a high-energy electric shock to the heart. If a defibrillator is used without delay it can increase survival rates by up to 70%.

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The machine has been installed on a fence next to the Golcar United stadium. If someone needs access to a defibrillator in an emergency they should dial 999 and speak to the ambulance service. 

Robert stressed how important it was to have as many strategically-placed defibrillators as possible.

He added: “We had one spare from when we were donating them last year. It’s great to be able to have a box now at that side of town. The local amateur league has got on board and has helped to sponsor it. It’s really been a joint effort by lots of people.

“It’s there for all to use and while we already had two defibrillators in Golcar you can never have too many. I’m pleased we could help the football club get this sorted.”