Local sporting clubs are being urged by member for Robertson, Ms Lucy Wicks MP, to sign a petition to help get more life-saving defibrillators at sports fields.
Ms Wicks made the appeal in a speech to parliament about the importance of sport to local families on the Coast. “Many will know about the death of Mickey Dean.
“He recently died of a heart attack while playing football. “Mickey was taken all too suddenly from his family and his community,” Ms Wicks said.
“Since then, working with his family and with the club, Southern and Ettalong United, we have developed a petition in support of seeing defibrillators installed in clubs on the Central Coast.
“While a defibrillator may not have helped in Mickey’s case, it dramatically increases the chances of survival after a sudden cardiac arrest, if applied quickly.
“Central Coast Football and Men of Football on the Central Coast have already pledged their support to this important cause, and I am pleased to report that more than 100 locals have signed this petition in clubs around the electorate.
“This coming football season, I encourage others to get behind this very important cause and add their voices to those who have already signed our petition, to demonstrate the strength of support for this important piece of vital lifesaving equipment for our clubs in our sports-loving community.”
Ms Wicks commended the community work of other sporting organisations in the region, including the Central Coast Mariners and Central Coast Academy of Sport.
“My son, Oscar, has signed up for the first time to play in the under-sevens for the East Gosford Rams in the upcoming season. “Yes, I finally get to be a soccer mum,” Ms Wicks said.
Media release, Feb 22, 2016 Tim Sowden, office of Lucy Wicks