Life saving equipment installed in memory of late GAA star

By Q Radio News

The family of a GAA player from Derry Londonderry who died while playing indoor football have bought a life-saving defibrillator for the community.

Kevin King passed away in November from a heart condition - one of two he had which had gone undiagnosed.

Last night, St Mary's GAA Slaughtmanus held their first CPR training session in memory of the 22-year-old.

Eglinton man Kevin King was just 22 years of age when he collapsed during a game of indoor soccer in November last year.

Despite efforts to resuscitate him, he was later pronounced dead at Altnagelvin Hospital.

The defibrillator in his memory, will be housed at the adjacent St Mary’s Church at Tamnaherin.

It contains a kit which includes a defibrillator and the equipment needed to learn CPR in half an hour.

St Mary’s GAA club will also offer CPR training using the kit.

^{Slaughtmanus GAA members Ronan Cooke, Ryan O'Doherty, Conor Lyons,  Michael McShane and Cathal Deery being trained in CPR}

“Kevin was totally dedicated to Slaughtmanus all his life, so it is only fitting that this priceless training should be rolled out here, and that this new defibrillator be fitted nearby,” said older brother Martin King, a doctor in Derry

“The chances of surviving a cardiac arrest outside of hospital can be as low as 10 percent, but this is increased with good, timely CPR. However, this can often be administered incorrectly or not at all, simply because people are too scared to do it or don’t know how.

“Through this training, we hope to equip members of the club and the surrounding community with the confidence to administer CPR and use the defibrillator if needed – helping to prevent untimely deaths in the future.

“That Kevin should leave such an important legacy is both a comfort and a huge honour for us as his family,” he said. “We were so proud of Kevin in life, and we are so proud of him now.”

Since Kevin’s death 10 months ago, his family have already raised tens of thousands of pounds for BHF through a series of fundraising events and initiatives.

Speaking at the first of the CPR courses last night at Slaughtmanus, Karen McCammon, from BHF NI said:

“It is truly humbling to be part of the King family’s campaign to save lives after the tragic death of their son and brother Kevin. They have not only raised tens of thousands of pounds in his memory, they have now funded the defibrillator in the heart of his community and are supporting the Call Push Rescue training in his GAA club.

“It is a testament to the family that they are saving lives today as well as raising vital funds to fund research that will save lives tomorrow."