The Justin Edinburgh 3 Foundation and the Essex Boundary Club have provided funding for the installation of two new external defibrillators at The Cloud County Ground.
The defibrillators, which are an essential component of life-saving first-aid in the case of a cardiac arrest, will be located behind the scoreboard at the River End of the ground and in the vicinity of the Doug Insole Pavilion.
Justin Edinburgh was a former footballer and manager from Essex who tragically suffered a cardiac arrest in 2019, and his legacy is now honoured through the Foundation that bears his name, also known as the JE3 Foundation.
The Foundation’s goal, in its own words, is increased survival following cardiac arrest. In the UK, more than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur each year, and survival rates are just 1 in 10. Early intervention through CPR and defibrillators can double the chances of survival.
It has been supported in providing funding for the external defibrillators at The Cloud County Ground by the Boundary Club, the official supporters’ club of Essex Cricket.
Charlie Edinburgh, son of Justin and CEO of the JE3 Foundation, said: ““We are extremely proud to be able to provide two potentially life-saving pieces of equipment to the club, it’s a relationship which we really see going from strength to strength.
“These latest donations add to the two previously donated to the city centre, which now sees our hard work coming into fruition throughout Chelmsford as a city.
“It’s amazing to be working with the Essex Boundary Club in funding these latest donations. I would like to thank everyone for making JE3 feel so welcome, it was a real pleasure to present these two defibrillators to the club on such a fine occasion.’
Dan Feist, Cricket Operations Director at Essex Cricket, added: “It is an excellent moment to be able to install two life-saving defibrillators here at The Cloud County Ground, and we are very grateful to the JE3 Foundation and the Boundary Club in their assistance in allowing us to do so.
“While we hope the defibrillators will never have to be used, their presence will still contribute to the peace of mind of every player, staff member, and visitor to our venue.”
