APPLICATIONS FOR 2023 are now OPEN
We believe grassroots players should feel safe when taking part in the game we love.
The Grassroots Red Sky Foundation Defibrillator Programme will provide 100 grassroots football locations with a FREE Defibrillator.
We’re looking to support clubs and venues which regularly host football for multiple teams and age groups.
For more details on who’s eligible please read our terms and conditions.
To apply for a free defibrillator, complete the form below.
Fabrice Muamba Shares Heartfelt Video Thank-You To Life-Saving Heart Charity & Teamgrassroots
One of the world’s highest profile survivors of sudden cardiac arrest, Fabrice Muamba, has shared a video to thank leading heart charity Red Sky Foundation and Team Grassroots for donating 100 life-saving defibrillators to grassroots football clubs around the UK.
Red Sky Foundation was awarded full charitable status in 2020 after being created by Sunderland couple Sergio and Emma Petrucci to give something back after their daughter Luna received life saving open heart surgery at the Children’s Heart Unit in Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital. They have raised over £1,000,000 funding incredible state of the art cardiac machinery and equipment as well as funding a public access defibrillator project installing over 400 units and educating tens of thousands of people of all ages in the benefits of CPR and early defibrillation.
Sergio and Emma realised the urgent need for extra defibrillators in sport and they have committed to give away another 100 defibrillators on the back of last years successful campaign with unlimited access to a free defibrillator and CPR training course to help save lives by partnering with the UK’s largest independent grassroots football organisation Team Grassroots to help with the roll out of the programme.
Sergio Petrucci MBE, Co-founder of Red Sky Foundation comments:
“Our daughter Luna was given a second chance receiving specialist cardiac care when she needed it most but now she is 100 percent fit and healthy. It’s time for us to focus on the other children who are born with, or who might develop a heart condition. Grassroots football is a perfect way for us to continue the scheme. Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone of any age and what we’re doing at this level of football is to help protect children as well as adults in the event of a medical emergency by having a defibrillator as near as possible.
“Using early CPR and defibrillation on a person in sudden cardiac arrest can increase their chances of survival from seven percent to over 75 percent so it’s vital that every club possible in the UK has access to a defibrillator via the Grassroots Defibrillator Programme.”
Paul Kirton, Founder of Team Grassroots, the organisation helping to deliver the campaign comments:
“It’s great to see The Grassroots Red Sky Foundation Defibrillator Programme getting such high profile attention – and we hope to keep the momentum going with ambitions to get as many of the units as possible out into lots of sporting locations. Red Sky Foundation’s incredibly generous donation will help clubs play with confidence and give them the peace of mind knowing that life-saving equipment can be made available, should it be required.
Previously we have received over 5,000 applications for 100 defibrillators, confirming the demand and lack of affordability amongst grassroots clubs who continue to struggle through to keep clubs afloat.”
All defibrillators allocated to clubs via The Grassroots Red Sky Foundation Defibrillator Programme will come with an additional free life-saving CPR and defibrillator online session for as many people who wish to attend, courtesy of Red Sky Foundation.
