Fundraising
Vinnie Jones revives role in CPR advert
We are delighted to announce that Vinnie Jones has joined the Restarting 11 to urge more than a quarter of a million people to learn lifesaving CPR.
Jones joins our star-studded ‘Restarting 11’ – an inspirational team of football stars and real-life heroes – as the squad’s enforcer tasked with using his unique powers of persuasion to encourage fans across the nation to step up and learn CPR.
The Wimbledon midfielder turned actor has a long-standing relationship with us, following his starring role in the 2012 ‘Hands-Only’ CPR advert, which has led to countless lives being saved. His transfer to the Restarting 11 gives the Every Minute Matters campaign with Sky Bet a renewed impetus going into the 2024/25 season.
Together we aim to recruit 270,000 people – the equivalent of three Wembley’s – to learn lifesaving CPR.
Reviving his role
Shot at the home of AFC Wimbledon, Plough Lane, the social media film comes off the back of a new survey commissioned by Sky Bet that explores the lack of confidence in performing CPR among football fans.
The survey of 3,000 football fans reveals that 44 per cent have been in situation where someone around them required CPR, with the survey also highlighting a significant skills and confidence deficit when it comes to stepping up and performing CPR. In fact, 42 per cent of fans have never received CPR training and 45 per cent say they would lack the confidence to perform CPR, should they find themselves in a situation where it is required.
Vinnie is helping to spread the word about our free online tool, RevivR, which can teach CPR in 15 minutes using just a phone and a cushion.
The former Wimbledon and Leeds star and Wales international said: “Out of all my roles on and off the pitch teaming up with Sky Bet and the BHF might just be one of my most important roles. It quite literally could be lifesaving.
“Sky Bet’s football fan survey shows that low awareness and lack of confidence is holding fans back from stepping up, but the reality is fans have nothing to fear as learning CPR is simple and easy and only takes 15 mins with the BHF’s online RevivR tool.
“That’s why, this season I’m urging football fans to back the Every Minute Matters campaign and ask themselves one simple question - will they stand by or will they step up to learn CPR and potentially save someone’s life.”
Vinnie advert
Our Chief Executive, Dr Charmaine Griffiths said: “Vinnie’s star turn in BHF's legendary 'Hands Only CPR' ad has played a huge role in helping save countless lives.
“For so many of us, 'Staying Alive' is the soundtrack of CPR, so it is a joy to have Vinnie backing our Sky Bet partnership to help hundreds of thousands more people learn this lifesaving skill. Encouraging 270,000 fans to learn CPR via our RevivR tool will give them the confidence to become heart heroes and step up during the ultimate medical emergency."
Every Minute Matters
Launched in May this year with the the groundbreaking Every Minute Matters campaign is part of our partnership with Sky Bet on a mission to donate up to £3 million for the charity and to encourage 270,000 people to learn CPR – equivalent to three Wembley Stadiums.
So far nearly 70,000 people have started to learn CPR using the BHF’s RevivR online tool. An incredible £380,000 was raised through goals scored during the Sky Bet Play-Offs in May, with Crawley’s players alone accounting for 10 goals.
Sky Bet has strengthened its support for the campaign by pledging to donate £10,000 to our cause for every stoppage-time winner scored across games in the EFL’s Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two this season, with £50,000 already raised.
Stand by or Step up
Steve Birch, Sky Bet Chief Commercial Officer said: “Our biggest goal with Every Minute Matters is making a real difference by funding the BHF’s vital work and getting more people to learn CPR. I can’t think of a better person to add to our team to continue the momentum towards 270,000than Vinnie Jones.”