Tom Lockyer returns to stadium where his life was saved

Football fans from Luton Town and AFC Bournemouth joined forces to raise awareness of CPR and funds for lifesaving heart research at their rescheduled game that was abandoned after Tom Lockyer’s cardiac arrest.

Last night the 29-year-old Luton Town captain was guest of honour as Bournemouth beat Luton 4-3 in a Premier League fixture at the Vitality Stadium. The teams had previously faced each other on 16 December 2023 but the match was abruptly stopped in the 59th minute after Tom collapsed on the pitch from a sudden cardiac arrest.

During half time, the Welshman joined the Luton Town and AFC Bournemouth supporters clubs as they handed over donations split between us and Bournemouth Heart Club charity. The charities received £1,268 from the Luton Town Supporters’ Trust and £750 from the Cherries Trust.

Highlighting CPR

In a touching tribute at Wednesday night’s game, fans erupted into applause at the 59th minute as a thank you to the medical staff who worked so tirelessly to save Tom’s life by performing CPR and defibrillation.

The Hatters defender now lives with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to help regulate abnormal heart rhythms, especially those that could be dangerous and cause a cardiac arrest. Tom also recently welcomed the birth of his daughter.

Both Bournemouth and Luton teamed up to highlight CPR and heart health during the fixture, in partnership with the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and Bournemouth Heart Club charity. The match programme featured heart health information and fans also watched a video of Tom urging them to learn CPR through the BHF’s free online tool, RevivR.

Emotional return

Tom Lockyer said: “It was emotional to be here tonight, especially considering that it was only three months ago in this stadium where I almost died. I’m forever thankful to the medical staff for performing prompt CPR and defibrillation – it’s no doubt that their actions saved my life, and means I am now able to enjoy life as a new dad.

“My story shows just how important it is to know CPR, and that’s why I’m calling on everyone to learn this lifesaving skill with the BHF’s RevivR training tool. It takes just 15 minutes and you could learn how to potentially save a life.”

We estimate that every 90 minutes – the length of a football match – at least five people in the UK suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Tragically, less than one in ten people survive, often because those around them don’t have the confidence or knowledge to perform CPR or use a defibrillator.

RevivR can teach CPR and defibrillation in just 15 minutes, using just a mobile phone and a cushion. Giving CPR and using a defibrillator can more than double the chances of survival in the ultimate medical emergency.

Help save a life

Dr Charmaine Griffiths, our Chief Executive, said: “It is incredible that Tom was able to attend the stadium where his life was saved thanks to the prompt actions of medical staff that day. We are incredibly grateful to the clubs and fans who have raised vital funds for lifesaving heart research in Tom’s honour.

“We are also delighted that both Luton and Bournemouth chose this moment to raise awareness of heart health and CPR. Survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK are shockingly low, and every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by up to ten per cent. That’s why we need more people to learn CPR to help improve survival rates and save more lives.”

AFC Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake said: “The way in which both clubs responded to the serious situation unfolding on the pitch back in December is something that will stay with all of us for a long time, so it was great to hear of that same support and goodwill continuing ahead of the rescheduled match.

“Having both sets of fans come together to raise funds and awareness for cardiac health has been amazing, and being able to welcome Tom back to Vitality Stadium is something that we've all looked forward to.”

Luton Town manager Rob Edwards said: “Seeing Tom collapse on the pitch was a difficult experience. With the respect shown by all inside the stadium that day, and both sets of supporters since raising money for the British Heart Foundation - as well as the Bournemouth fans paying for our fans’ travel to the game - the two clubs have formed a special bond.

“The silver lining is that there is some good that will have come from such a harrowing experience. It’s horrible to think that someone will have suffered a cardiac arrest somewhere in the country while our match was taking place, so like Tom, as a football club we urge all supporters to take a few minutes to learn CPR because it could help save a life.”

LEARN CPR WITH REVIVR