Member Article

Life saving defibrillator and £1,000 donated to Leamington football club

A grassroots football club in Leamington has given thanks to CALA Homes Midlands, after the homebuilder gifted the team a potentially life-saving defibrillator, two first aid kits and a £1,000 bursary donation for sports equipment.

Leamington Lions Girls FC, which supports dozens of teams across all age groups and abilities in the Central Warwickshire Girls Football League, received the defibrillator for the use of the club and surrounding community.

Leamington Lions Vice Secretary, Stuart Crutchley, said the club is extremely grateful and relieved for the donation. Having volunteered at the club for 21 years, Stuart thinks the Euros incident earlier in the year has demonstrated the importance the lifesaving equipment can have across all ages and fitness levels.

Stuart said: “Being gifted the defibrillator and a bursary towards equipment from CALA has come as a huge boost for the club.

“Leamington Lions Girls FC strives to provide a fun and safe environment for girls to experience grassroots football from aged 5 upwards. Supported by FA qualified coaches, it’s a place where they can make new friends, develop fundamental skills and create foundations for a lifelong love of sport.

“We’ve got half a dozen new players joining us every week, so we’re doing something right with making it a fun experience, but the defib donation really does help us improve the safety of our games. It’s given us a sense of reassurance, should the team or the wider community need to put it to use.

“We cater for all ages and abilities, and what happened in the Euros has really brought to the foreground that something like a cardiac arrest could happen to anyone. The defibrillator is really simple to use - it talks to you and gives you instructions on how to use it, meaning it can be used by almost anyone.

“I’d like to say a massive thank you to CALA Homes Midlands for helping us in our mission to instil a lifetime love of football and sport - the donations will really helped to foster that ethos among our players whilst keeping them safe.

“As grassroots football is mostly voluntary, it’s come as a huge help. I don’t get paid and don’t want to, but it’s companies like CALA that come in and support – that money will go a really long way and the defib could even save a life.”

The bursary donation allowed the club to purchase extra training equipment, including mini goals, footballs, bibs and speed and agility equipment.

The club formed part of six good causes across Warwickshire who received a share of £10,000 - a much-needed boost from CALA to support their vital work.

The Community Bursary initiative invites charities, voluntary organisations and community groups to apply for a share of funding from CALA, with more than 300 worthy causes now having received over £300,000 since CALA launched the initiative in 2016.

The scheme was paused in 2020 as a result of the March lockdown but was re-launched earlier this year to support groups and charities in need, particularly those which have been impacted by the pandemic.

Andy Dicker, Regional Managing Director, said: “The last 12 months have been particularly hard for the charity and volunteering sectors, with many seeing reduced funding at a time when local communities need their services most.

“CALA aims to make a positive and lasting contribution to the communities in which we build and that’s more important now than ever. We know that this year’s Bursary will mean a great deal to the Leamington Lions and the other charities selected and we can’t wait to follow their progress and see how the donations will make a real difference to local people.

“We would like to thank everyone who took the time to apply to the CALA Community Bursary this year and congratulate each and every one of them on the fantastic work they are doing within their communities.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by CALA Homes .