Every Minute Matters campaign marks World Heart Day

We're delighted to announce our Every Minute Matters campaign will celebrate it's first major milestone this World Heart Day weekend. 

The campaign with Sky Bet is making significant impact and has helped inspire 90,000 people to start learning life-saving CPR through the our online tool, RevivR, since the partnership began in May – enough to fill Wembley Stadium. 

First major milestone 

Launched in May this year, the groundbreaking Every Minute Matters campaign is 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 an incredible £520,000 has been raised during the Sky Bet Play Offs in May and through their pledge to donate £10,000 for every ‘stoppage time’ goal during the EFL 2024-2025 season. And we are thrilled to have reached our first major milestone, filling our first Wembley stadium with 90,000 lifesavers. 

Every Minute Mattes this World Heart Day 

Tom Lockyer, Luton Town captain and ‘Every Minute Matters’ ambassador, said: “CPR is a vital skill that helped save my life and saves thousands more every year. It’s amazing that we’ve reached the 90,000 mark but what’s clear is that we need to bridge this confidence gap. Sky Bet and the BHF hope to show fans they’ve got nothing to fear because learning CPR is simple, easy and takes just 15 minutes via the BHF’s online RevivR tool.

“This weekend isn’t just about awareness, it’s about raising as much money as possible to support the vital work of the BHF so they can install more defibrillators in the communities that need them most. That’s why I’ll be calling on goals scorers across the EFL to raise their game because each and every goal will see Sky Bet donate an incredible £1,000 to the BHF.” 

To celebrate this incredible achievement and to mark World Heart Day, Sky Bet are pledging £1,000 for every goal scored all 36 Sky Bet EFL fixtures this weekend. The incredible challenge means as much as £100,000* could be going to the charity over the course of this weekend’s fixtures across the Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two – beginning with Tranmere Rovers vs Salford City and Plymouth Argyle vs Luton Town this Friday. 

World Heart Day this year takes place on Sunday, September 29 to highlight that heart and circulatory diseases are the most common cause of death around the world.  

'Never more needed'

Our Chief Executive, Dr Charmaine Griffiths, said: “At a time when British Heart Foundation’s work has never been more needed, Every Minute Matters is going from strength to strength and Sky Bet’s generous support is making a real difference. The money raised through this partnership will be truly lifesaving. 

“Together with Sky Bet, not only will we be able to place defibrillators in communities that need them most, but we’ll be able to ensure that fans, families and communities across the country can be trained in lifesaving CPR and defibrillation. Creating a nation of lifesavers will give people the best chance of survival in the event of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. 

“We’ll be eagerly watching the scoreboards this weekend and celebrating every EFL goal scored to raise money for this lifesaving work.”  

Lifesaving potential

There are more than 30,000 out of hospital cardiac arrests in the UK each year, equating to at least five every 90 minutes. Each minute that passes without CPR reduces the chance of survival by up to 10 per cent. And tragically, less than one in ten people survive, often because those around them lack the skills or confidence to perform CPR. 

EFL chief executive Trevor Birch said: “World Heart Day provides a vital reminder of the importance of heart health, and we are proud to support Sky Bet in their partnership with the British Heart Foundation. 

“For this weekend, every goal scored now not only has the potential to change the match, but to save lives across the country.  EFL clubs are at the heart of their communities, and this initiative is another powerful demonstration of how football can play its part to contribute to a truly important and worthwhile cause.” 

Learn CPR this World Heart Day