An Edinburgh man who suffered a cardiac arrest whilst playing walking football has kindly gifted a defibrillator to Hearts’ Walking Football group.
Just over a year ago, Colin Mackay collapsed during a session at the Corn Exchange.
Stevie Cameron, a stranger who was playing with friends on an adjacent pitch, quickly intervened and administered CPR until the arrival of the emergency services.
Thanks to the swift intervention of Stevie, Colin has now made a near enough full recovery. This has enabled him to return to Hearts’ Walking Football group and he also continues to run his own Walking Football sessions through Edinburgh City.
Colin, who is a trustee on the Board of Walking Football Scotland said:Â “On the first anniversary of my cardiac incident, it was an absolute pleasure to present a defibrillator to the Hearts’ Walking Football group as a small token of my thanks and appreciation for the wonderful help and support my wife and I have received over the last year.
“With more older folks taking up this brilliant activity it is essential that every precaution is taken to ensure everyone’s health and safety.
“Hopefully nobody requires to use the defibrillator but it will be reassuring to all participants that it is readily available at all Walking Football sessions.
“A very special thanks to the magnificent Stevie Cameron, who unfortunately was unable to attend the presentation, but will always have a special place in my defibrillator-assisted heart for his incredible lifesaving CPR skills!”
Hearts’ Head of Community, Alan White, said: “I’d like to thank Colin for his incredibly generous gift.
“This potentially lifesaving piece of kit is a valued addition to the Walking Football programme.
“We are delighted that Colin has made a great recovery, and it has been fantastic to see him back in action every Tuesday here at Tynecastle.”
Photo courtesy of Heart of Midlothian Football Club.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
