Sky Bet and British Heart Foundation Surpass 500,000 CPR Learners in Landmark Campaign
In a remarkable achievement for public health, Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation (BHF), with support from the English Football League (EFL), have reached a major milestone in their transformative Every Minute Matters campaign. Over 500,000 individuals have now begun learning lifesaving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) through the BHF's free RevivR digital tool, marking a significant step in building a nationwide 'army of lifesavers'.
Harnessing Football to Drive Lifesaving Skills
Launched at Wembley Stadium in May 2024, the campaign has exceeded all expectations by smashing its initial target of 270,000 learners. In its first season alone, it inspired more than 300,000 people to start CPR training, demonstrating the powerful role of football in uniting communities. The initiative has brought together all 72 EFL clubs, along with players and fans, behind a shared mission to equip everyone with the knowledge and skills needed to act during emergencies.
Cardiac arrest remains a critical issue in the UK, with over 40,000 out-of-hospital cases occurring annually. Tragically, fewer than one in ten survive these incidents. However, learning CPR can more than double a person's chance of survival, highlighting the urgent need for widespread education.
Voices from the Campaign Celebrate Success
Lizzie Moscardini, programme manager for the British Heart Foundation's RevivR tool, expressed her enthusiasm about reaching the half-million milestone. "Together we've inspired over 500,000 people to engage with CPR," she said. "It shows what's possible when people up and down the country come together to help save lives. Learning CPR can mean the difference between life and death, and our free RevivR tool can give people the confidence to act in an emergency in just 15 minutes."
Tom Lockyer, an ambassador for Every Minute Matters who survived a cardiac arrest thanks to quick bystander intervention, also praised the campaign's impact. "As someone who owes my life to the quick actions of others, this milestone means everything," he stated. "To see over 500,000 people step up and learn CPR is incredible—that's half a million people who could be there for someone in their most critical moment. I am so grateful to each and every fan that has stepped up and learnt CPR as part of this game-changing campaign over the past two seasons."
The Ongoing Fight Against Cardiac Arrest
Despite this success, Lockyer emphasized that the work is far from over. "But this isn't the finish line. Cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, meaning it's vitally important that everyone feels they have the confidence and skills to perform when every minute really matters. It takes just 15 minutes to learn, but it could save the life of someone you love."
The campaign continues to grow, leveraging the widespread appeal of football to promote CPR education across the UK. For those interested in joining this lifesaving effort, fans can show their support and learn CPR in just 15 minutes by searching for BHF RevivR or visiting the dedicated online platform.
