Singer Lizzie Jones is spearheading a new campaign to raise funds for equipment that could prove the difference between life and death at Rugby League clubs across the UK.
Lizzie, who reduced a Wembly crowd to tears and moved millions of TV viewers with an emotional performance at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award, has launched the Danny Jones Defibrillator Fund in honor of her late husband.
Lizzie is working tirelessly to ensure that no other family goes through that pain.
"I Knew I was going to marry Danny from the first time we went out. Losing him that day devestated the family. It just didn't occur to me that a seemingly fit & healthy athelete like Danny could ever be struck down with a heart condition. It goes to show that it can happen to anyone."
Defibrillators cost around £1,000 each and provide potentially life-saving treatment to anyone suffering a cardiac arrest. Lizzie Jones said: “This is my way of saying a big ‘Thank You’ to the wider Rugby League family for all they have done for me and my children since we lost Danny. “The professional and semi-professional players are now getting screened, which is fantastic, and it’s important that we do all we can to protect the welfare of the men, women and children who gain so much pleasure from playing the game at community level.
“£1,000 doesn’t seem like a lot of money but as anyone who’s been involved with grassroots sport will know, every penny matters and I am proud to be associated with another project which means Danny’s death will not have been in vain.”
We are delighted to announce that The Danny Jones Defibrillator Fund will be our 2017 chosen charity.
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