One of Britain's greatest sporting traditions – Boxing Day Football – is set to be even more dramatic this year as Sky Bet celebrates the season of goodwill by pledging to donate £1,000 to the British Heart Foundation (BHF) for every goal across the Premier League. December 26.
Up to £100,000 could go to the charity over the course of an action-packed Boxing Day slate of 36 matches across the Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two.*
It's the latest step in Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation's 'Every Minute Counts' campaign which has so far inspired 147,000 people to start learning life-saving CPR since its launch in May – meaning the campaign is more than half way towards its target of 270,000.
The campaign is raising awareness of the importance of learning CPR over the Christmas period and hopes to inspire thousands more to take just 15 minutes to start learning CPR over the holiday season on the BHF's RevivR online platform.
This comes as BHF analysis suggests that more than 2,500 people** will suffer a cardiac arrest outside hospital during December. Tragically, less than one in ten people survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the UK, often because those around them do not have the confidence to perform CPR. About 80% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur at home. This means that the stark reality facing thousands of people every year is that they may need to perform CPR on a close friend or family member.
Tom Lockyer, Luton Town captain and Every Minute Counts ambassador, said: “It is astonishing to think that more than 2,500 people will suffer a cardiac arrest outside hospital during the month of December alone. It is even more astonishing to think that the vast majority of those cardiac arrests occur At Home The truth is, if someone near you collapses and needs your help, they probably won't be a stranger, they'll be someone you know and love, which is why the only gift I'm asking for this Christmas is a gift of 15 Minutes People's Time Just about anyone can learn life-saving CPR with the help of the BHF's online RevivR tool.
Tom continued: “CPR is a vital skill that has helped save my life and thousands of others every year. It is amazing that we have already inspired more than 147,000 people to start learning CPR, but what is clear is that there is still more to do, so Please take just 15 minutes this Christmas to learn CPR, it could make a big difference.”
The reality of having to step in and save a loved one's life has hit home for lifelong Sheffield Wednesday fan Ellie Starks who recently met up with Sheffield Wednesday captain Barry Bannan at the club's training ground to share her incredible story.
Ellie – a palliative care nurse from Worksop – saved the life of her father, Dennis, in August 2023 by performing CPR when he collapsed in the living room while watching a Sheffield Wednesday match. Having experienced first-hand how the power of CPR can help save the life of a loved one, Ellie and Dennis are keen to play their part in raising awareness of the Every Minute Matters campaign and help inspire Wednesday fans to learn life-saving CPR.
“Looking back now, I don't know how I managed to stay so calm,” said Ellie Starks, now 28. “I knew my dad had a cardiac arrest because of my medical training because he felt wet, and I couldn't feel it.” I somehow managed to drag my father, who is 6ft tall and weighs 15 stone, to the ground, and my CPR training began immediately, and I maintained the compressions until help arrived.
After suffering a cardiac arrest, Dennis remained in the hospital for 25 days. Ellie, who was due to get married two weeks after Dennis' cardiac arrest, rearranged her special day to make sure her dad was there to walk her down the aisle. She married her husband, Jake, on October 27, 2023.
Dennis, 71, added: “Walking down the aisle with Ellie was very emotional. This happy day showed me how lucky I really am.
“Ellie means everything to me and I will never forget what she did to save my life. I simply wouldn't be here without CPR; that's why I want to play my part in raising awareness of this vital campaign and I will do so.” Encourage all Wednesday fans to take just 15 minutes to learn Life-saving CPR.”
Sheffield Wednesday captain Barry Bannan, who teamed up with Ellie and Denise to support the campaign, said: “I recently had the privilege of meeting cardiac arrest survivor Denise and his incredibly brave daughter Ellie, and I was blown away by their story. What really happened?” What matters to me is not only that CPR is life-saving, but that anyone can learn CPR.
He continued: “It's not complicated, you can learn in just 15 minutes using the BHF's online RevivR tool. That's why I'm calling on all football fans to set aside just 15 minutes of time over the Christmas break – it can make a big difference.” “If someone you know collapses and needs your help.”
Launched in May this year by Sky Bet in partnership with the BHF, the pioneering Every Minute Matters campaign is on a mission to raise £3 million for the BHF and encourage 270,000 football fans to learn CPR.
The campaign has already been a huge success, with an incredible £839,000 raised so far, including £380,000 from Sky Bet Play Offs in May and £370,000 since August through Sky Bet's pledge to donate £10,000 to each target. In “stoppage time” during the English Premier League 2024-2025 season.
Coventry City striker Hajj Wright has the honor of being responsible for the most money donated of any Premier League player, with his two goals at or after the 90 mark contributing £20,000.
Dr Charmaine Griffiths, Chief Executive of the British Heart Foundation (BHF), said: “With all eyes on the EFL’s action-packed Boxing Day, we will be celebrating every goal scored to raise vital funds for the BHF’s life-saving research.
“Thanks to the generous support of Sky Bet, the Every Minute Matters campaign is going from strength to strength. With more than 146,000 people starting to learn CPR and nearly £1 million donated to fund research into heart and circulatory disease to date, this partnership is truly genuine.” “Changing lives – at a time when the work of the British Heart Foundation has never been more needed.”
There are more than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK each year, equating to at least five every 90 minutes. Every minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by up to 10 percent. Sadly, fewer than one in ten people survive, often because those around them lack the skills or confidence to perform CPR.
*Calculation is based on an English Premier League scoring average of 2.6 goals per match
**BHF analysis of OHCA data from health and ambulance services in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, 2024.