I am delighted to see walking football thriving here and involving so many in a sport that brings both health and social benefits Cllr Marina Asvachin
 Cllr Marina Asvachin

Update 10 November 2020 from Andy Hannan: “The defibrillator in the photo attached being presented to me on behalf of Exeter Strollers Walking Football Club at Wonford Sports Centre in September 2018 by Marina Asvachin, county councillor for Wonford & St Loyes, played a significant role in saving my life last Wednesday when I suffered a cardiac arrest. Of course, the heroic efforts of Sue Hutchings a fellow Stroller who applied CPR for long periods and managed the attempt to resuscitate me and the calm support given by Jimmy Moore, the centre manager, who operated the defibrillator were also crucial. 

My heart and my breathing stopped suddenly after playing in a couple of games on the 3G pitch. I had made the application to Marina for funding the purchase of the defibrillator in total ignorance of my heart problems. I am amazed I was the first to benefit from its use. Strange yes, but true!”

12 September 2018

Wonford Leisure Centre now has a fully automatic defibrillator for use in cases of Sudden Cardiac Arrest.  The unit was purchased by Exeter Strollers Walking Football Club which obtained funding from Devon County Council with the support of the county councillor for Wonford & St Loyes, Marina Asvachin.  The Strollers, proud wearers of the official Exeter City crest, play at the Centre on Tuesday and Friday mornings and at Exwick Sports Hub on Monday evenings throughout the year.  The Club currently has 35 members.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is often fatal.  However, using cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) along with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) as soon as possible after the SCA can make the difference between life and death.  Staff at Wonford Leisure Centre and members of the Exeter Strollers have been trained to use CPR and an AED.

The defibrillator is kept at the Centre except when the Strollers take it to play at a venue where there is currently no such facility.  Hopefully, soon all football venues will have their own AED and Wonford’s can remain at the Centre.

At a ceremony in Wonford to mark the acquisition of the AED on 11th September, Cllr Marina Asvachin said, “I’d like to praise the collaboration between the Leisure Centre and the Exeter Strollers, which has brought a defibrillator with life-saving potential to Wonford to the benefit of the wider community.  I am delighted to see walking football thriving here and involving so many in a sport that brings both health and social benefits”.

For further information about walking football sessions in Exeter for those aged 50+ both male and female email peter.ferlie@ecfc.co.uk and to find out more about Exeter Strollers email exeterwfc@gmail.com

https://www.theexeterdaily.co.uk/news/local-news/new-automatic-defibrillator-wonford-leisure-centre

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