Spectrum User’s Heartfelt Thanks With £500 Donation to BHF

Published on: 30 Sep, 2014
Updated on: 30 Sep, 2014

When Maurice Taylor of Wood Street Village, Guildford collapsed at Spectrum gym earlier this year, the quick thinking and skilful response from Freedom Leisure staff saved his life.

Maurice Taylor donates cheque to the British Heart Foundation at Spectrum with the Mayor of Guildford, David Elms, present.

This dramatic incident led to Maurice, aged 74, undergoing heart bypass surgery at St George’s Hospital before being referred for a cardiac rehabilitation programme at the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford.

He said: “I can recall nothing about the incident but have been told by others that Spectrum staff reacted immediately and calmly and their actions before the ambulance arrived almost certainly saved my life.

“I had enjoyed a morning walk with my dog and had made a trip to the refuse tip earlier in the day and felt absolutely fine.

“I went to the gym for my usual workout and collapsed on the adductor machine. I’m told that a member of staff who was off shift and training alongside me immediately went into action. Then he and his team performed CPR, called the ambulance and used the defibrillator machine on me while they waited for the emergency services to arrive.

“First and foremost the Freedom Leisure staff saved my life. The ambulance crew praised their handling of the situation and then took over. I went to the Royal Surrey for assessment and was referred to St George’s for bypass surgery. Once I’ve completed my eight-week rehab programme at the Royal Surrey, I hope to attend the cardiac rehab sessions back at Spectrum and resume my training under their watchful eye.”

The team at Spectrum received a letter of thanks from the South East Coast Ambulance Service. “Our staff are highly trained and simply put into practice what they had learned when Mr Taylor collapsed,” said Steve May, Freedom Leisure area manager. “We are relieved to see him recovering well from his surgery.

“Mr Taylor very generously wanted to donate some money to Spectrum to thank our team,” added Steve. “This is a very kind gesture but we feel it’s more appropriate to give his donation to the British Heart Foundation whose invaluable work is helping to save many lives every day.”

Maurice’s family has donating £500 to the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and presented the charity with the money at Spectrum on Thursday, September 25.

Fundraiser Shirley West from the Guildford and Godalming branch of the BHF, added: “it was a lovely surprise for everyone when the Mayor of Guildford, David Elms, popped in to thank the staff and the young man who saved Maurice life. His name is Jonhnny. When this happens it makes our work so worthwhile.”