STRIDES have been taken to save lives in Billericay thanks to two defibrillators being donated by the Justin Edinburgh 3 Foundation.
Basildon-born Justin, who began his playing career with Southend United before going onto enjoy success in the top-flight of English football at Tottenham Hotspur, suffered a cardiac arrest while at the gym last June and died five days later aged just 49.
In a bid to turn this tragic event into something positive, the ex-Billericay Town manager’s family set up the Justin Edinburgh 3 Foundation.
Remembered - Justin Edinburgh
The foundation’s aim is to support heart health charities and campaign for legislative change - through Justin’s Law - which would make it compulsory for all health, fitness and sports facilities to be equipped with a public access defibrillator.
The Justin Edinburgh 3 Foundation has now donated a defibrillator to Billericay Town and the town’s Toni & Guy hair salon, where Justin was a business partner for 18 years.
Justin’s son, Charlie Edinburgh, was pleased to visit Billericay’s New Lodge stadium to make the donation to the club.
He said: “Billericay is a place close to my heart and the club meant such a considerable amount to dad.
“He was forever grateful to Billericay for giving him his first role in management, so we wanted to give back to the club.
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“For me to go there, along with the Foundation’s trustees, and see some familiar faces from when I was a young boy was great.
“It was so comforting to see them and I was proud to give something back.
“It’s great to do something to potentially save a life and that is part of dad’s legacy at New Lodge now.
“I know how proud dad would be of us and our work with the Foundation.”
United - Charlie Edinburgh and Billericay Town Picture: NICKY HAYES/iCORE LTD
Cardiac arrest victims who are treated with CPR and a defibrillator within five minutes increase their chances of survival from just six per cent to 74 per cent.
The Justin Edinburgh 3 Foundation has also donated a defibrillator to the Leyton Orient Supporters’ Club, with the life-saving equipment being stored in the Justin Edinburgh Stand at Brisbane Road.
Charlie was delighted to hand a defibrillator to Toni & Guy in Billericay.
Making the donation - at Toni & Guy
He added: “Dad was a business partner at Toni & Guy in the High Street, so we wanted to give something back to them. It’s brilliant that we have a defibrillator at New Lodge now, but that’s off the beaten track and we wanted to help the local community.”
Billericay Town has donated £1,490 to the Justin Edinburgh 3 Foundation.
To donate to the Justin Edinburgh 3 Foundation, click here.
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