Football fan's CPR plea as he joins all-star team

'Re-starting 11' is formed from famed players and football fans personally impacted by heart conditions

A cardiac arrest survivor is hoping his role in an all-star football team will help him deliver a heartfelt plea.

In 2020, Lee Stevenson woke up in hospital and learned his partner Amy had brought him back to life by carrying out CPR.

The Sunderland fan is now part of Re-starting 11, a team consisting of famous players and supporters who have been affected by heart problems.

Mr Stevenson and his teammates are campaigning in the hope of encouraging 270,000 people to learn CPR.

Former international stars Graeme Souness, David Ginola and Glen Hoddle are among the professionals who are part of the "one-off team", along with Wigan Athletic striker and cardiac arrest survivor Charlie Wyke, originally from Teesside.

They are joined by football fans who have either survived a cardiac arrest or saved someone's life.

The team is helping to drive the Every Minute Matters campaign which aims to recruit the equivalent of three full Wembley Stadium crowds to learn CPR in the next year.

Amy Stevenson used skills learned on a work first aid course to save her partner

On 20 March 2020, Mr and Mrs Stevenson were at home waiting for a Friday night takeaway when he began complaining of chest pains.

"I put it down to anxiety and panic attacks due to lockdowns, and the last thing we wanted to do was put additional stress and pressure on the NHS," he said.

"I thought I'd feel better after an early night, but turning the bedroom light off was the last thing I remember."

Mrs Stevenson said: "When I turned the light on, I knew he was unconscious and not breathing.

"There was blind panic from my side, I was shouting and screaming but phoned 999 and started chest compressions.

"I performed them for ten minutes but it felt like an absolute eternity."

The paramedics arrived and within hours Mr Stevenson had undergone surgery and had stents inserted.

'A few cracked ribs'

Without CPR, he said, he would be dead, adding: "Any CPR is better than no CPR.

"The worst outcome for me was death, so waking up a couple of days later with a few cracked ribs is something I wouldn't trade.

"I learned CPR after what happened to me as it's apparent people think they'll never be in this situation.

"But imagine it happens to one of your loved ones and you're not in a position to help.

"You can learn in as little as 15 minutes and you'll have the confidence and skills to step in."

Mrs Stevenson said her actions, honed through a work first aid course, saved Mr Stevenson's life and gave the world two more.

"He's gone on to get married, we've had our first baby and we're expecting our second," she said.

"The fact I could start CPR straight away means we've had a wedding, we've had a daughter and are expecting a son.

"It's changed our lives, because I could pull from the depths of somewhere the confidence to do it."