DH9 Foundation launched in memory of David Hill. The DH9 Foundation will provide Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) devices free of charge to schools, youth and sporting organisations. These AED devices will be supported with free CPR training.
The DH9 Foundation has been established in memory of David Hill, a former St. Joseph’s College pupil, who died at the age of 30 from an undiagnosed heart condition, on a rugby field in Dublin in March 2022.
The DH9 Foundation aims to:
- Raise awareness of young sudden cardiac death (YSCD)
- Provide CPR training and defibrillators to schools and community organisations in Dumfries and Galloway
- Fund cardiac screening through Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY)
The DH9 Foundation is committed to improving the cardiac health of young people under the age of 35.
The DH9 Foundation will launch week in commencing 23 September 2024 when they will donate an AED to 15 Secondary schools in Dumfries and Galloway, following the successful Cycle4David event in March 2024.
It is intended that the AED devices will be stored in PE departments or main offices, depending on whether there is already a defibrillator installed at the school. Along with community partners, the DH9 Foundation will look to install free defibrillators in all schools across Dumfries and Galloway.
The DH9 Foundation will also be offering free CPR training to schools. By offering CPR training and defibrillators, the DH9 Foundation is looking to improve the chain of survival in cases of out of hospital cardiac arrest. Please visit www.dh9foundation.org for more information. The DH9 Foundation will also support Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) through the provision of cardiac screenings for young people aged 14-35 across the region.
David collapsed whilst playing a cross-party rugby match for Holyrood against Dail and Seanad XV at the Donnybrook Stadium in Dublin as part of the Parliamentary Six Nations. Originally from Dumfriesshire, David worked for several MSPs during his time at Holyrood and at the time of his death he had been working for Jamie Greene MSP. David’s popularity and hardworking reputation led to him being posthumously named Parliamentary Staffer of the Year in September 2022 at the Holyrood Magazine Awards. As a scrum-half, David wore the No. 9 shirt on the rugby field.
Every week in the UK, around 12 young people (that is aged 35 and under) die suddenly from a previously diagnosed heart condition. 80% of these deaths will occur with no prior symptoms. Young Sudden Cardiac Death (YSCD) is an umbrella term for several different heart conditions that affect fit and healthy people which, if not treated can result in sudden death
For more information – https://dh9foundation.org/
