THE Hampshire Cricket Foundation has launched a new ground-breaking programme which will help provide portable defibrillators to cricket clubs in Hampshire.

The charity is partnering with the Community Heartbeat Trust and the Club Cricket Charity for the initiative which will provide 40 portable automated external defibrillator units to clubs free of charge.

The units are designed to facilitate immediate treatment on any individual suffering a cardiac arrest whilst awaiting professional help and could be crucial in saving the life of anyone who may require medical attention as a result of cardiac arrest.

This provision, which also includes training, insurance and registration with local emergency services, is part of the Hampshire Cricket Foundation’s ‘Changing Lives. Saving Lives’ initiative which aims to deliver a healthier future for people across the county.

David Mann, Hampshire Cricket chief executive and a trustee of the Foundation, said: “The Hampshire Cricket Foundation is dedicated to supporting our local communities with initiatives which can change and save lives.

"We’re delighted to be able to provide these defibrillator units to clubs as this fulfils one of the key objectives we established for the charity in 2019.

"I’d like to thank everyone who has donated to the charity and made this possible.”

All Hampshire Cricket Board affiliated clubs (category one & two) are eligible to submit an application to receive a defibrillator, with applications to be submitted to simon.jones@ageasbowl.com before January, 31.

The Hampshire Cricket Foundation’s defibrillator scheme follows a range of other fundraising initiatives carried out by Hampshire Cricket this summer.

A donation of more than £50,000 was made by the Club to Southampton Hospitals Charity in September with funds raised through a combination of charity auctions, donations from ticket purchasers and profits from the sale of replica Hampshire 2020 playing shirts.

The donation is directly supporting the construction of a new rehabilitation space at University Hospital Southampton’s General Intensive Care Unit, helping to enhance the care, experience and outcomes for thousands of patients at the facility.