Volunteers are set to complete as many CPR compressions as possible this Valentine’s Day, with a goal fundraising target of £5,000 for the Yorkshire Ambulance Charity.
Jessica Woodhouse, a spokesperson for Meadowhall, said: “Meadowhall is putting heart health at the centre of Valentine’s Day as it prepares to host a 24-hour ‘CPR-a-thon’ tomorrow to raise awareness of lifesaving CPR skills and raise funds for the Yorkshire Ambulance Service Charity.
“Taking place from Friday 13 February at 3pm, the continuous 24-hour event will see Yorkshire Ambulance Service volunteers performing CPR on training manikins to increase public confidence in hands-only CPR and the importance of early intervention in cardiac arrest.”
Supporting the fundraising event is Bob Reville, who experienced a sudden cardiac arrest in 2013 in the Oasis Dining Quarter in Meadowhall.
Bob received life-saving CPR from a member of the Meadowhall security team, Steve Clark and his colleagues.
Mr Reville said: “I feel extremely grateful to Steve and the team.
“If it wasn’t for Steve’s quick actions, not only may I have not been here now, but I certainly would not be living the life I am now.
“I have made virtually a full recovery and that’s purely down to how quickly Steve started CPR.”
The funds raised through the initiative will be used to provide free basic lifesaving training, including CPR, in local communities and the installation of public access defibrillators across the region.
It will also be used to support the wellbeing of Yorkshire Ambulance Service colleagues and volunteers.
Meadowhall is currently equipped with two public access defibrillators, located on the Lower High Street and in the Customer Hub, helping to support the safety of visitors and staff.
The event will take place on the lower level of the Gallery, outside Primark and Next.
Sarah Aston, Yorkshire Ambulance Service Charity officer, said: “The Yorkshire Ambulance Service charity relies entirely on the generous donations from individuals and businesses to enable it to support and provide life-saving initiatives across the region.
“We simply could not do it without your help.”
If you wish to support the initiative you can donate on the day at the centre or via JustGiving here.