Cardiac Arrest Survivor to Run 30k in 11 Days to Raise £4,000 for Calderdale Community CPR Fund

Those of you who are close to the Community Foundation will know about Neil Davidson who had a cardiac arrest and was kept alive by his son who performed CPR on him. Neil went on to set up The Community CPR Fund with CFFC to increase access to CPR training, defibrillators, and essential equipment with the aim of increasing the survival rate across Calderdale.

Carl Campbell thought he was fit and healthy when he collapsed on a treadmill in August 2023.  He had no previous heart issues, no symptoms that day until he was in cardiac arrest. Thankfully, the gym staff knew how to perform CPR immediately, and they used the defibrillator they had onsite to restart Carl’s heart twice.

Thanks to their quick response, Carl survived which is rare as less than 1 in 10 people survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the UK.

Carl was diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy at Calderdale Royal Hospital and fitted with a pacemaker and ICD. He took things slowly and has gradually built up his fitness whilst learning to live with his condition.

Inspired by Neil’s story and his own survival, Carl wants to give back and support Neil’s mission to increase the survival rate of people who have a cardiac arrest outside of hospital and has committed to running  3 x 10k races in just 11 days to raise £4,000 for the fund.

Carl’s 10k Challenge:

• York 10k – Saturday 3rd August
• Tatton Park 10k – Friday 9th August
• Cromwell Bottom 10k – Wednesday 14th August

“Without CPR and access to a defib, I wouldn’t be here,” Carl said. “I want to help give other people the same chance I had.”

Help Us Reach Carl’s £4,000 Target

Every donation, no matter the size, makes a difference and will go to the Community CPR Fund.