RALPHH GIVES AWAY OVER 50 DEFIBRILLATORS

A major thank-you event for all those who have helped RALPHH achieve a major milestone attracted the praise and appreciation of Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey MP.

The occasion linked to the heart care and survival charity’s achievement of over 50 defibrillators given or part funded since the work began in 2019. It was hosted at Kingston Grammar School, which has been extremely supportive of a charity that relates to former student and National Schools Rowing Champion Robert Allen, who died of heart failure in 2018. Included among the School’s fund-raising for RALPHH was a sponsored row in 2022 between Henley and Thames Ditton that raised over £20,000.

The Berrylands, Surbiton-based charity also expressed it appreciation for the gifts received from business and individuals, either in the form of money or in providing voluntary help. Included among local organisations to be involved has been the Probus Club of Surbiton and Kingston’s Euphonix community choir who have provided a public concert to help raise funds. 

Sir Ed – who is also the MP for Kingston and Surbiton – spoke warmly about the achievements of the charity, congratulating the trustees on initiatives that included the sponsorship of cardiac testing of young people for any circulatory irregularities before undertaking intensive sports training. The Cardiac Department of Kingston Hospital was also praised for helping to feature on the charity’s website information on stepping back from intense sporting efforts in the most health-protecting manner.

The last 12 months have been a major period of growth for the Robert Allen Life Promotion and Healthy Hearts Trust (RALPHH), which has been matched by many requests for help from sporting clubs in rowing, hockey, sailing, cricket and others that feature locations able to cater for the needs of disabled people.

“We could do more, if we can develop new resources, but I hope this occasion showed that we are on the right course and look to the future with encouragement,“ said Chairman Richard Allen. 

Pictured left to right with a special cake in the shape of a defibrillator, made by the Chairman’s daughter-in-law Eleanor are: Richard Allen; Will Adams, boys captain of rowing at KGS; RALPHH Trustee, Tim Liversage; Amy Fraser, girls captain of rowing; Dr Ann Redgrave, Chief Medical Officer of British Rowing and Sir Ed Davey.