Derbyshire FA joined Leah and Thom for the presentation on Saturday 9th December of a defibrillator to Newhall United after their application earlier in the year. The donation is part of the Kellogg family’s campaign to ensure that all football grounds are fitted with a defibrillator after the tragic passing of their brother, Joe Kellogg in 2011. This came from an undetected heart condition and happened whilst Joe was training with his club, Borrowash Victoria FC. 

Prior to the presentation, Mick Draycott, Secretary of Newhall United said “We would like to send our greatest thanks and we are completely overwhelmed to be the successful recipient of a defibrillator. Having such an important medical instrument now being placed within the club, it will be here for years to come. The popularity of the club, running from juniors to seniors and with social events alike, the club is used many times throughout a season and with the closest hospital being around 25 minutes away, the defibrillator will give a greater hope and chance of life in the unfortunate event that we need to use it. With much more awareness now being present in the importance of defibrillators, Newhall United F.C are honoured to be part of this greater awareness and again send many thanks for being the lucky recipients.” 

Leah Kellogg said “Our family lost someone very, very special to us in 2011, He left for football training and never returned after collapsing and passing away. This was my brother Joe Kellogg who was just 26 years old in the prime of his life. This is a day that I nor my family will sadly never forget for all the wrong reasons. We don't want other families to go through what we have had to go through. Still to this day I always wonder what if there had been a defibrillator available and could this have saved my brother? Having a defibrillator on site at all football grounds in the UK could save someone's life."

 

Leah and her family are committed to continue the campaigning to ensure all football clubs are equipped with lifesaving equipment and Derbyshire FA are fully supportive of this campaign. Figures published by Cardiac Risk in the Young show that every week, 12 apparently fit and healthy 14-35 year olds die from undiagnosed cardiac conditions. The percentage chance of saving a life if a defibrillator is used within the first 3 minutes is 74% and 35% if used within the first 10 minutes.

The Kellogg family have set up a petition to ensure all football clubs have a defibrillator on site and you can visit the petition on change.org by clicking below (this is an external website to derbyshirefa.com).

 

kellogg family Defibrillator petition