Runner who nearly died while out jogging to take on 50-mile ultra-marathon
A man who suffered a cardiac arrest in 2019 is running a 50-mile ultra-marathon on Saturday to raise money for his local Community First Responder Scheme.
Peter Corr, from Telford, who suffered a cardiac arrest on his daily run in 2019, was saved by two passers-by who started lifesaving CPR on him before an ambulance crew arrived.
After learning how important immediate CPR is for a patient’s survival, Peter became a Community First Responder (CFRs).
CFRs are members of the public who play a vital role within the ambulance service, providing potentially lifesaving medical aid, before an ambulance can reach a patient.
Peter, who has previously run marathons, is now taking on his biggest challenge yet, running 50-miles along the T50 footpath in Telford, something he has previously described as “a ridiculous thing to do”.
He will be joined by his running partner Dave Isaac. Peter stressed the importance of everyone learning CPR – something he knows all too well.
He said: “Roughly one in ten people who suffer a cardiac arrest outside of hospital will survive as a result of quick and early medical intervention.
“I really would encourage everyone to learn CPR as well as how to use a defibrillator and to then ‘have a go’ if the situation ever arises.
“Everyone of us, adults and children, have the potential to be a lifesaver.” and I am absolute proof of this.
“The passers-by who decided to ‘have a go’ when I was having a cardiac arrest had a life-changing impact on me and my family.”
Nick Freeman, Telford’s CFR co-ordinator said: “I’ve seen with my own eyes the impact having CFRs in a community can make, because getting to patients early can be the difference between life and death.
“There are many opportunities over the coming months to learn how to properly administer CPR and learn to use a defibrillator through Telford CFRs CPR and defibrillation sessions. There’s a CPR session in Ironbridge’s ‘Silver Over the Bridge’ event on Sunday, April 30, and we will be at Lawley Coronation Carnival on Sunday, May 7.”
People can get in touch with Telford CFRs through the ‘Contact Us’ page on the website telfordcfrs.org.
