Heart charity calls for nominees

Organised by charity Hand on Heart, the nationwide awards were launched to reward individuals and organisations who've successfully raised funds to purchase defibrillators for their local communities.

Hand on Heart was set up to prevent the deaths of the 12 young people who die due to sudden cardiac arrest every week. Now in their fifth year, the charity's prestigious awards at the Midland Hotel in Manchester on Friday 7 October cover 13 categories. Entries are made online by completing a simple application form but time is running out with a fast approaching deadline of Friday 10 June.

Hand on Heart have already received more than 500 nominations and wrote to the EVO-STIK NPL to encourage clubs to nominate fundraisers or even individuals who have saved a life.

Spokeswoman Dee Wild said: "There is still time for a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the work and actions of companies, organisations and individuals and gain recognition. Wishing everyone the best of luck with their entries."

Since 2011 the charity has placed over 800 defibrillators in schools and communities across the UK as well as training over 5000 people to use them and teaching more than 17,000 children how to perform basic life support.

For more information visit: www.ukheartsafeawards.co.uk.

Nearly half the EVO-STIK NPL's clubs purchased defibrillators with the help of the Football Association and British Heart Foundation after they teamed up to underwrite two thirds of the costs of the life-saving equipment following the collapse and subsequent recovery of Bolton Wanderers star Fabrice Muamba at Tottenham in the FA Cup in 2012.

After Muamba's ordeal highlighted the dangers of sudden cardiac arrests, the unique partnership was set up after lobbying from the EVO-STIK NPL and other leagues with more than 900 defibrillators made available to clubs playing at Steps 1 to 6 of the National League System.

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