A Nottingham property development firm has put out a football squad to raise crucial cash for a defibrillator machine which could save lives.
ALB Group was on the ball earlier this year when it stepped in to sponsor the kit at Broxtowe United FC.
Now the company’s talented players have tackled a full 90 minutes to raise money for another kind of kit – a defibrillator for the Weir Field Recreation Ground in Beeston where the Broxtowe club teams train. Broxtowe United is putting out a dad’s team.
ALB Group’s 20-strong squad was made up of staff members, contractors, friends, plus managing director Arran Bailey. He said he was honoured his company was helping to raise money. The target was £2,000, but currently stands at £2795.
Arran said: “It was a pleasure to be part of the fundraiser for this vital piece of equipment, and we obliterated the opposition to win 7-1!
“We all watched in horror at what happened when Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch during the Euro 2020 tournament in June.
“The medics used a defibrillator to get his heart going again. This machine saves lives and installing one at Weir Field is a great move.
“We’ve talked tactics for the game and we decided to have a ‘roll on, roll off’ system so we can all take a break. Some of us are fitter than others but it was a fantastic day!”
Once installed at the recreation ground in Canal Side, the defibrillator will be for the use of anyone at the ground or who needs the equipment in an emergency.
Broxtowe United’s club chairman James Bromley said the safety of the players and volunteers, after what happened to Christian Eriksen, was at the heart of the fundraiser.
He said: “When we saw what happened, and the reality of the situation, we knew we had to take action.
“Once we have raised all of the money, we hope to get the defibrillator installed by the start of the new season which is when ALB Group will start sponsoring our kit.
“It’s not just for us. The rugby club use the ground and often 500 people turn up for the Beeston parkrun each week. The fundraising has value for the whole community.”
“We’re very grateful to ALB Group for its support. Any extra we raise from the game will go to the British Heart Foundation, a charity which supports people struggling with heart and circulatory diseases.”
ALB Group, which has made its name converting large, disused buildings into residential and commercial properties in the Midlands and the north, struck the full club kit deal with Broxtowe United FC earlier this year.
The grassroots club based in Beeston offers football to children of all backgrounds and abilities.
Broxtowe United was established in 2015 to give children across the borough the chance to learn new skills, make new friends and have fun.
It is run by volunteers, and has four teams – under-12s, 13s, 14s & 15s – and every team’s kit will bear the ALB Group name.
The match was at the David Ross Sport Village at the University of Nottingham on Sunday July 25. The fun started at 2.30pm.
To donate money, go to the JustGiving page here: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/broxtoweunited?utm_term=pAkEVq2GD