Sunderland fan who survived cardiac arrest aged 31 urges supporters to learn CPR

A North East man who survived a cardiac arrest in his 30s is urging football fans to help save lives.

Sunderland supporter Lee Stephenson, who suffered a cardiac arrest at his home in Gosforth, is backing the Every Minute Matters campaign, a partnership between Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation (BHF) that has already encouraged more than 500,000 people to learn CPR.

Mr Stephenson’s story began on March 20, 2020, when he collapsed at just 31-years-old.

His then-fiancée Amy used the first aid skills she had learned at work, helping to save his life whilst two ambulance crews were en route.

Mr Stephenson said: "I’m living proof of how important CPR is. Amy’s knowledge of what to do helped saved my life that day.

"Now, five years later, we’re married with two kids. I wouldn’t be here today if she hadn’t acted.

"That’s why I’d encourage everyone to take just 15 minutes to learn CPR."

Lee's wife Amy learned CPR at work and helped to save his life. (Image: Family)

The campaign aims to enlist football fans into the ‘Every Minute Matters squad’ by encouraging them to complete CPR training using the BHF’s free RevivR tool.

One heroic CPR learner will win a money can’t buy experience with their team, including 4 VIP tickets to a home game.

The campaign reached its initial goal of engaging 270,000 people in CPR training using the RevivR tool by May 2025, but has already surpassed that figure, with more than 500,000 people now taking part.

Participants have until March 31 to complete the CPR training and share their reasons for taking part via the Every Minute Matters CPR Squad Giveaway form.

Programme manager Lizzie Moscardini said: "Hitting this half a million milestone is an extraordinary achievement.

"Together, we’ve inspired over 500,000 people to engage with CPR.

"It shows what’s possible when people up and down the country come together to help save lives."

The campaign receives strong backing from the football community, including Bristol Rovers player and cardiac arrest survivor Tom Lockyer.

Mr Lockyer said: "As someone who knows first-hand the lifesaving impact of CPR, 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."