Lifesavers – Unite defib fundraisers


Life-saved members’ branch go on to fund defibs


The use of a defibrillator to save the life of a young Unite member and keen footballer, has inspired his branch to sponsor a number of the lifesaving items for local teams in their area.


Steven Smith is a roadworker with Tayside Contracts in Dundee and was playing for his amateur team, Monifieth Athletic AFC, when he collapsed on the pitch. Two players from the opposing team, who were first aid trained, rushed to his aid and delivered lifesaving CPR on the pitch.


Colin Young is a work colleague of Steven’s at the road construction company and the senior shop steward at the Unite Tayside Contracts Branch. Colin takes up the story.


“While they carried out CPR one of his teammates ran to the nearest shop and grabbed the defib from the wall. This took nearly 15 minutes, and Steven had died three times waiting for the ambulance to arrive.”


The first aiders and the defibrillator kept Steven going until the


paramedics took over, but it was a worrying time for everyone at the match, including Steven’s young son, William.


Speaking to The Courier after recovering in hospital Steven said, “One of the worst things for me about it all is that William was watching. “Everyone was really great and tried to shield from him what was going on but he’s not stupid and he could see what was happening.”


Following the incident Colin said, “Some of my branch members and I decided to do something about this and asked the Dundee Area Activist Committee if they could help.


“Unite Dundee Branch already sponsors five football teams with football strips. Two of teams are for overweight players getting back to fitness and losing weight, so it was only right that we supply them with a defib.”


The teams that the branch sponsors are Monifieth Athletic AFC, Cannon


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Fodder FC, Dundee West FFIT, Dundee Discovery FC and Dundee East Craigie JFC.


Following one presentation, Dundee Discovery FC thanked the Unite branch on social media saying, “We would like to give a massive thanks to Unite in Dundee for the very generous donation of a portable defibrillator to take to all of our matches.


“The events at Monymusk Park were witnessed by team members and friends alike and have given a stark reminder of how things can change in an instant.”


The provision of defibrillators also helped secure free CPR training for the club and means they now have a trained user readily available to help if the worst happens again.


Colin said that the branch was very happy to sponsor this life saving equipment and added, “I hope this can lead to more awareness in the football world that a defib on the side-lines can save lives.”


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