LFC back Oliver King petition
Liverpool FC are backing an e-petition set up by the Oliver King Foundation calling on the government to take action on Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS).
The foundation was set up in March 2011 following the death of Oliver King, a 12-year-old boy who died in Wavertree of SADS.
Their aim is to have the government introduce defibrillators to all public buildings by 2017, and provide staff with the appropriate training.
In addition, the Oliver King Foundation also want all people aged between 12 and 35 offered a simple ECG test, which could reduce the current death rate of 12 young people a week.
LFC's first-team doctor Dr Zafar Iqbal said: "Liverpool Football Club supports the Oliver King Foundation e-petition that calls for the locating of defibrillators in all public buildings.
"Many lives could be saved by this simple action and by raising awareness of Sudden Arrythmic Death Syndrome. They are very easy to use and the earlier that they are used the greater the chance of saving a life."
The e-petition was launched last week at the King David campus in Wavertree last week and was attended by LFC Community Manager Bill Bygroves.
The money raised by the Oliver King Foundation will be used to highlight awareness of SADS as young people with the condition do not usually show symptoms.
Some of the money will be used to buy defibrillators to be placed in schools and local sports centres, and to assist in providing staff with the relevant training.
They also aim to allow young people easy access to heart screenings.
Creator of the e-petition, Jake Morrison - Councillor for Wavertree - said: "I've been working with the family over the past few months, and they are doing invaluable work to raise awareness of this silent killer.
"What the foundation is calling for is simple, we want all 12 to 35 year olds to have an ECG at some stage, with the aim to reduce the death rate of 12 young people a week.
"This e-petition is the best way of getting the government's attention, from which we can then press for legislation.
"I want to see all public buildings, specifically schools and sports centres, equipped with an adequate amount of defibrillators on site by 2017.
"It is great news that the e-petition is gaining attention already, but we need to increase the amount of signatories for the government to take notice.
"If the work of the foundation can save the life of one young person, it will be a huge success.
"From what I hear of Oliver, from his parents Mark and Joanne, he was a young boy much loved by everyone who surrounded him.
"I'm delighted and proud that Mark and Joanne have asked me to play a part in this cause.
"The government need to take action on this silent killer as soon as possible, it is not an unreasonable request."
Mark King, Oliver's dad, added: "We want to bring awareness out about SADS.
"We need to get these defibrillators in Schools and Screening introduced to save young people's lives
"If this e-petition can raise awareness nationally, that can only be good."
Click here to view the e-Petition>>
For more information about The Oliver King Foundation, click here>>