LONG-STANDING HOCKEY CLUB TURNS TO RALPHH FOR HELP

A hockey club that has produced past men and women’s Great Britain Internationals and which owns its own ground and clubhouse on the outskirts of Braintree, Essex is the latest to benefit from the gift of a defibrillator from the ever-expanding RALPHH charity.

The Braintree Hockey Club has 300 members across different ages and was established over 100 years ago. The Men’s team play in the East Anglia Premier Division, whilst the Women's team is in Division Two South East. In addition to providing input to local schools, the Club also runs a coaching development scheme at Felstead School, ranging from under-6 to under-14.

The all-weather hockey pitches at Braintree are also hired out to others, providing four football pitches

Receiving the RALPHH gift are pictured left to right: Bruce Hanley, who, as well as being a long-standing member, is responsible for operations and facilities at the Club; President Ann Whipps; and David Malthouse, Chairman.

“The pace of the game of hockey makes it one of the most appealing spectator sports, and it is therefore not surprising that the physical strain of playing can increase the risk for anyone with an unrecognised heart condition” said RALPHH Chairman, Richard Allen.

“Our charity sprang from my son Robert dying from a heart problem to which no one was aware, and it was the shock of his death that led to the formation of the Robert Allen Life Promotion and Healthy Hearts Trust (RALPHH) in August 2019.”