Fabrice, who played midfield for Bolton Wanderers, and Julian handed in the petition at 10 Downing Street, calling for emergency life support skills to be a compulsory part of the school curriculum.
The petition has been launched by the British Heart Foundation and Resuscitation Council UK and calls on the new Minister of State for Schools, Elizabeth Truss to ensure every pupil leaving secondary school is equipped with the skills to save a life.
Fabrice “died” on the pitch at White Hart Lane after suffering a heart attack during an FA Cup match against Tottenham in March. He received vital resuscitation on the pitch and made a remarkable recovery, leaving hospital a month later.
Over 100,000 people have signed the petition and the charities claim that if CPR were taught in schools it could double a person’s chance of survival from a heart attack.
Julian said: “It was an honour to meet Fabrice. He is a real inspiration and the high profile support that he is giving to this campaign is invaluable.
“By teaching children CPR in schools we are giving a whole generation the skills needed to save a life. I cannot see why there should be any hesitation in actioning this.
“I learnt life saving skills during my time volunteering with St John Ambulance and I know how those first few minutes after a personal collapses are so vital to their recovery and long-term prospects.”
Image: Julian (second left) joins Fabrice (third left) and MPs Justin Tomlinson and Julie Hilling at 10 Downing Street to hand in the petition.
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is the nation’s heart charity, dedicated to saving lives through pioneering research, patient care, campaigning for change and by providing vital information.
For more information visit bhf.org.uk/lifesaving
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CONTACT: BHF press office on 020 7554 0164 or 07764 290 381 (out of office hours) or email newsdesk@bhf.org.uk
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