Former Leeds United player backs CPR campaign

Stuart Dallas, who played for Leeds United for nine years, says learning the skill could save a life

Former Leeds United player Stuart Dallas has urged football fans to learn life-saving CPR skills as part of a national campaign.

Dallas, whose mother died after a heart attack when he was aged 10, said it was "crucial" for people to know the technique as "you never know when you might need it".

A campaign led by the British Heart Foundation and Sky Bet is promoting a 15-minute video teaching people the skills they need to try to revive someone's heartbeat.

On Wednesday, the retired midfielder took part in one leg of a 28-day relay bike ride stretching across all 72 grounds in the English Football League to promote the message.

The ride took the 33-year-old from Leeds United's Elland Road ground to Harrogate Town's Exercise Stadium.

Dallas, who played for Leeds for nine years, said: "For 15 minutes of your time you could potentially save someone's life, it's nothing out of your day.

"It's really crucial people learn it - it could be your best friend you're with who needs CPR, or it could be a football fan you're sat beside at a game who's a complete stranger."

The video demonstrates how chest compressions should be done

Learning CPR using the interactive video tool only requires a smartphone and a cushion to practice chest compressions on.

Leeds United supporter Conor Houton, 29, is also backing the campaign.

Mr Houton's father, Donny, died in 2019 after a cardiac arrest, despite the efforts of his family and paramedics to save him.

"It was a real life-changing event and it turned my life upside down for so long," he said.

Conor Houghton said learning CPR meant he felt confident "acting quickly" if someone's heartbeat stopped

He continued: "You have to deal with a lot of trauma and a big part of getting involved with this is trying to deal with that and to try to help other people who might have to go through that in the future.

"It's been really important for me to learn CPR and, God forbid, if I find myself in that situation again I'll be able to act quickly."

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