The Richmond Heavies Foundation marked a significant step forward in making rugby clubs better prepared to save lives as Overton RFC, Haringey Rhinos RFC and Marple RFC received defibrillators this week.

In addition to the community clubs in Hampshire, Middlesex and Cheshire, a further 12 clubs across the country will receive units in the first delivery phase. With the installation of brand-new defibrillators, the clubs will be completely ready for grassroots rugby to return at the end of March.

Made possible by the Defibrillator Fund, the life-saving equipment is delivered and set up by the Community Heartbeat Trust, ready for any emergencies once players return to the pitch.

The arrivals of the defibrillators at Overton, Haringey Rhinos and Marple mark the first of 15 to be installed at community rugby clubs around the country, with over 20 further clubs set to benefit in September.

The Defibrillator Fund received a huge fundraising boost in September last year when Rupert Allhusen became the first-ever prop to complete the gruelling English Channel swim. He raised over £30,000 for two charities including, the Defibrillator Fund.

“A newly-installed defibrillator helped save the life of someone here at Richmond,” Rupert said, talking about his inspiration to take on the Channel and raise money for the Defibrillator Fund.

“Having that resource available for anyone at a rugby club is vitally important and could be life-saving. We want to support as many clubs as possible get that equipment installed and maintained.

“So far we are looking at over 35 defibrillators for rugby clubs across the country that don’t already have them, which potentially equates to a lot of lives saved. It’s great to have the first of those installed in time for community rugby coming back to the pitch.”

As the club knows well, many members of Richmond Rugby frequently take on punishing challenges to help raise funds and support the Heavies Foundation, a cause very close to the hearts of all of at Richmond. The Foundation exists to protect and support players, coaches, staff, members and their families, and additional programmes well underway include the provision of heart screening to all players and coaches, as well as free confidential Mental Wellbeing available to all.

Richard Holman, Chairman of the Richmond Heavies Foundation, added: “2020 was a thoroughly hard year for so many people and we were overwhelmed by the support shown to the Foundation even in difficult times. It allowed us to continue to support and protect our rugby family and many people accessed our programmes, particularly the Mental Wellbeing programme.

“Our Foundation was inspired by three incredible men we lost too soon and it is an honour that we can continue to serve them well and deliver defibs, knowing they would approve of what we are doing.”

Ahead of the next phase of defib installations in September 2021, a team of 10 cyclists will take on Land’s End to John O’Groats in the Ride Across Britain, raising more money for defibrillators. These crucial pieces of equipment can and will save lives at rugby clubs at the heart of communities around the country and the Foundation would be grateful for support in its fundraising from the Richmond family. Every penny raised goes back into the Defibrillator Fund to supply more defibrillators to more clubs around the country.

Find out more here: richheaviesfdn.org/defibrillator-fund

To view the current Defib Fund delivery map please click here.