Over the last 20 years, Pete Dixon (aka Fridge from Sheffield University Bankers HC) has always enjoyed playing against Lindum/Roses/Lincoln, particularly battles with Gary Johnson and James Dewhurst. He has asked for our club’s support for a cause close to his heart.

In 2018, he raised funds for a public access defibrillator in his local park in memory of his father’s passing 20 years earlier; he passed away through heart failure whilst they played hockey together. Over past months, he decided that one defibrillator is not enough, wanting to make the access of defibrillators much easier for anyone and everyone who may need one.

Why now?

What re-inspired Fridge, was the collapse of Christian Eriksen at Euro 2020. The initial coverage captured the pain and horror of this incident but subsequently the tone of the message should have turned into something more celebratory. Wonderfully he survived and can continue his life with his family and friends. This was only possible because he was at his work place which comes with an on site medic and all the medical equipment you required for medical intervention.

Whilst we can’t all have access to on-site doctors, we can all have access to live saving medical equipment, and this is why he started a government petition to update legislation so that all employers with at least 10 FTE and all new property developments must have a defibrillator installed.

For a government petition to be “successful”, he requires 10,000 signatures for a response from government and 100,000 for a debate in parliament.

What help is required?

On his own, he will struggle to reach 10,000 signatures, never mind the target of 100,000. He’s already contacted and spoken with the local paper (link below) and appeared on BBC Radio Sheffield, but needs more and more people to share the message and petition. Therefore, please help Fridge by signing and sharing the petition.

Petition: Fund and require installation of defibrillators in all business premises

Local paper article: Sheffield Dad’s mission to change defibrillator law