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A fund has been set up to provide defibrillators to sports academies in memory of a 10-year-old schoolboy who died suddenly last year.
The ‘Elliott Walsh Defibrillator Fund’ has been set up in partnership with Royal Life Saving Bahrain (RLSB) to provide Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) and lifesaving training across the kingdom, by the promising player’s former football coach Andrew Collins.
“We have already provided four defibrillators and applications are open for any sports academy to request one,” the Juventus Academy head coach told the GDN.
“A charity committee meets quarterly to evaluate applications and distribute defibrillators where they are most needed.”
As reported in the GDN in February last year, Elliott, a Year 5 student at St Christopher’s Saar campus, died tragically in his sleep.
St Christopher’s management and staff present their most recent donation to Elliot’s mother, centre, and Mr Rahman, second from right
The stated cause was ‘Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC)’ – a medical term for a death that remains unexplained even after a thorough investigation, including an autopsy.
Doctors and medical professionals do not yet know what causes SUDC, how to predict it or how to prevent it although neurologists suggest convulsive seizures maybe related to most sudden unexplained deaths in young children.
In the aftermath of the death, Mr Collins launched a GoFundMe campaign last year to distribute life-saving defibrillators to teams and academies across the island, inspired by Elliott’s love and passion for the game.
Young players receive CPR training as part of the initiative
The fund raised £24,295 (BD11,868), far exceeding its goal of £15,000 (BD7,328), with 284 people extending a helping hand.
“Once the initial GoFundMe campaign reached its goal, we saw an opportunity to create a lasting legacy in Elliott’s name,” Mr Collins explained. “The fund is managed with the support of a dedicated charity committee and the defibrillators (AED machines) remain under the ownership of Royal Life Saving Bahrain to ensure they are maintained properly.”
So far, Juventus, Junior Premier League, Ole, MJD Sports and Tekkers academies have all participated in staff training with the last three awaiting installation of the AED machines, which will feature Elliott’s name on them.
A corner set up at Juventus commemorating Elliott’s legacy
“Defibrillation is a proven, life-saving technique that helps restore normal heart rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest,” Mr Collins added. “Having accessible AED machines in sports facilities and public spaces significantly improves survival rates and reduces long-term health risks.”
Any academies which would like to sign up for defibrillators and training can do so by scanning the QR code provided.
“Through the fund, recipient organisations receive not only a free AED but also professional training for their employees on CPR and AED use,” RLSB general manager Sam Rahman told the GDN.
“This initiative enhances community safety by ensuring that trained responders are on-site and ready to act in the critical first moments of an sudden cardiac arrest.
“Beyond direct training and equipment distribution, the fund plays a vital role in fostering community engagement.
“Organisations supported by the fund are encouraged to extend the impact further by facilitating and promoting low-cost lifesaving workshops for both children and adults.
“These workshops provide essential skills, equipping individuals with the confidence to respond effectively in emergencies.
“All funds raised through these community workshops are reinvested into the Elliott Walsh Defibrillator Fund, allowing for the continued distribution of AEDs and the expansion of training initiatives across Bahrain.
“We welcome any community to apply to the fund, including schools, nurseries, sports facilities, community centres or residential areas.”
Donations are also being accepted directly for the fund through the ila Banking App or to RLSB in general through BenefitPay.
Recently, St Christopher’s made a BD1,650 contribution to the fund, in the presence of Elliott’s mother, Kylee-Jai Wright.
“Thank you again to the amazing St Chris community and Royal Life Savers,” she said on social media in response to the donation. “You are allowing our beautiful boy to leave a lasting legacy that we are, and he is, so proud of. Elli continues to make us proud.”
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A screenshot of the Ila banking application showing where donations can be made to the Elliott Walsh Defibrillator Fund
His father Ian also responded, adding that ‘the community have been great in keeping Elliott’s memory alive and as positive as possible.’
naman@gdnmedia.bh
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