Royal Humane Society award for members of walking football team
News from our partners Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin
Three members of Shrewsbury Walking Football Club have been honoured with a national award after saving the life of a fellow player using their first aid training.
Norman Pryce, David Walker and Mick Lewis have all been awarded the Resuscitation Certificate from the Royal Humane Society in recognition of their actions.
Shrewsbury Walking Football Club first aiders. Left to Right. First Aiders Mick Lewis, Norman Pryce, David Walker
It was a wet, windy morning on 17 November 2016; the football club were playing outdoors as usual when the drama unfolded.
After a short 10 minute break of play, Ray Moreland was seen to be in some difficulty by Norman and David who are two of the club’s first aiders. Ray was sitting on the ground with his hands on his knees, head bent forward, breathing abnormally and with great difficulty. Norman and David first placed Ray in the recovery position with an emergency foil blanket to keep him warm but soon observed Ray drifting out of consciousness and even more concerning, David believed Ray had stopped breathing. Norman and David used their first aid training to start CPR assisted by Mick. Thankfully, 10 minutes later Ray began to breathe again just as the ambulance crew arrived.
The three men were praised by medical staff at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for their ministrations of CPR and the handover to the medical professionals, as well as the communication maintained with the operator throughout the whole incident.
The football club, who play once a week at Monkmoor Recreation Ground, behind the Shrewsbury Training and Development Centre, are holding a buffet and presentation awards ceremony on Thursday 27 July 2017 at 12.30pm at the Abbey Pub in Monkmoor Road for the three men. The certificates will be presented by Susan Stefiuk, Senior Coordinator for Wellbeing & Friendship Services for Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin.
Ray Moreland, who continues to recover well, said:
“Words are totally inadequate to sum up what I feel. The team of Norman, Dave and Mick saved my life. I get tearful about it every time I reflect on their efforts. We have built up firm friendships playing walking football. Thanks for your support and for giving me back the rest of my life.”
Heather Osborne, Chief Executive of Age UK STW, said:
“It’s really nice to see Norman, David and Mick being commended for their heroic actions. It’s incredible the courage and quick thinking they demonstrated during that cold November day. This is just one example of how valuable volunteers are and the importance of having first aiders on site. First aid is one of the most popular training courses we offer our volunteers. We have strict regulations as a charity with regards to training volunteers, but these skills can be applied to everyday life, outside of volunteering and the work environment. I would urge people to enrol on a first aid course. You never know when someone may need your help.”
The over 55’s club was first set up by Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin in October 2013. There are four walking football clubs spread across the county. Walking football is aimed at those people who want to continue to play football or return to the sport at a much slower pace, enabling you to keep up your football skills, stay fit, have fun and socialise. To find out more about wellbeing and friendship services, call Susan Stefiuk, Senior Coordinator for Well-being & Friendship Services for Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin.
Further information
Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin is a local charity which has been working tirelessly for over 65 years to make life better for older people across the whole of Shropshire.
Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin offers a range of services for older people in the county. These include: Information and Advice, Day Centres, dementia support, the Help at Home Service, volunteer befriending visitors, Home from Hospital services, Pub Clubs, Living Well activities, Benefits Advice, and Advocacy on behalf of older people.
Last year over 100,000 volunteer hours were given to support older people, ranging from helping people to fill in benefits forms, supporting people in our 40 Day Centres, visiting isolated older people at home, to acting as receptionists in our Shrewsbury office.
As part of our ‘No one should have No one’ campaign, we are raising money and recruiting volunteers to increase services such as befriending and social activities that reduce isolation and loneliness among older people in Shropshire.
Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin is based in Shrewsbury and in Telford. The Shrewsbury office is open from 10am – 4pm Monday to Friday, 01743 233123. Our office at Meeting Point House in Telford is open every morning, 01952 216018. Further information about our local services is available on our website www.ageukshropshireandtelford.org.uk
