CREW was founded shortly after the millennium to raise awareness about the importance of regular physical activity in maintaining heart health. From small beginnings the group started cardiac rehabilitation exercise classes and short walks and have developed over the years, now offering several different exercise classes each week and four different grades of walks. Through a network of 650 members, the group provides individuals affected by heart-related issues with educational, physical, emotional and social support.
Former Halifax-based Paramedic Edwin Birks, who worked for Yorkshire Ambulance Service for 36 years before retirement, is the group’s Chairman and Walk Leader. Edwin commented “We purchased defibrillators over 15 years ago for our exercise classes and walking groups, and we are now delighted to be able to further support the purchasing of defibrillators for wider communities through our partnership with the Yorkshire Ambulance Service Charity.
“From my decades of experience within the ambulance service, I know how vital access to these devices really is. Cardiac arrests can happen to anyone at any time, which is why we even take a defibrillator on our walks, and action taken in the first few minutes afterwards can make a huge difference to someone’s chances of survival.”
You can find our more about CREW by visiting their website https://crewheartsupport.co.uk/