Rotherham United are delighted to have been chosen as the 100th community supported by local charity Start-a-Heart 24:7, who have raised money to have the milestone defibrillator installed at AESSEAL New York Stadium.
The Start-a-Heart charity was set up following the passing of lifelong Miller, Stuart Lister, with wife Trish the driving force behind the excellent work that they do for the local community.
Start-a-Heart helps communities to install life-saving defibrillators in external safe cabinets and currently there are over 60 units in the Rotherham area and a further 40 in mid-Yorkshire sporting the Start-a-Heart logo. Many locally-based Millers supporters will be familiar with the bright green safe cabinets that have appeared in the Rotherham area.
Following talks with Chairman Tony Stewart and Stadium Manager Paul Davis, the Millers were delighted and honoured to accept the donation of the defibrillator, which has been installed on the North West corner of the exterior of the AESSEAL New York Stadium.
Upon hearing the news that Start-a-Heart had chosen to mark the milestone donation in Stuart Lister’s name, first team boss Paul Warne insisted that he and a number of his players took time to meet and thank Trish in person.
“Firstly, on behalf of everyone here at Rotherham United, I would like to thank Trish and everyone involved in raising the money for the new defibrillator which has been installed at AESSEAL New York Stadium,” he told www.themillers.co.uk.
“I was very humbled to learn that it has been installed here in her late husband’s memory and it was even more poignant to hear that it is the 100th donation that they have raised money for.
“Of course, we hope that there is never a need to use it, but if that does happen to be the case, the hard work of Trish and everyone involved in the fundraising could save a life and everyone at the club is very grateful for making this possible.”
More about Start-a-Heart 24:7
The charity raises funds with events such as the annual Family Fun Day at The Woodman, Woodlaithes Village and Ultimate Quiz Parties at Magna Science Adventure Centre which have been very generously supported by Rotherham people.
The charity is also indebted to Rotherham Sitwell Rotary Club, Herringthorpe United Reform Church, Wickersley WI, Year 8 at Wickersley School & Sports College, National Citizen Service students and Cllr Maggi Clark Mayor’s Charity and many others for their support and encouragement.
This year the Family Fun Day will be held on Sunday 26th August, 12 noon till late.