Petersham Rugby Club have pledged to fundraise and install a defibrillator at their home ground, Camperdown Oval, in Sydney’s Inner West.



The club will direct funds raised at their 2016 Ladies’ and Old Boys Event on April 16 to the purchase and installation of a defibrillator at their home ground. $2800 will enable the club to have a defibrillator permanently installed at Camperdown Oval for sports teams, community members and the club to use, while $5000 will enable a second, portable defibrillator to be purchased and to travel with the team to all away games.



In addition to fundraising to have a defibrillator installed, Petersham Rugby aims to raise awareness of The Michael Hughes Foundation and the importance of having defibrillators installed at all sports fields across Australia.



Founder and Director of The Michael Hughes Foundation, Julie Hughes, expressed her delight at Petersham Rugby’s decision to promote awareness of sudden cardiac arrest and to raise funds to install its own defibrillator at its home ground.



Petersham Rugby welcomes donations to assist them to reach their goal, all donations received via this MyCause Campaign will go to The Michael Hughes Foundation who, in turn, will install a defibrillator at the Oval and educate club members in how to use the new equipment.



The Michael Hughes Foundation is a national, not-for-profit, charitable organisation. All donations made to the Camperdown Oval defibrillator and to this MyCause page are tax deductable.



About Petersham Rugby:

Established in 1883, Petersham Rugby is Australia’s longest standing suburban rugby club and is based at Camperdown Oval in Sydney’s Inner West



In fundraising to have a defibrillator installed, Petersham Rugby hopes to:

- Raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest and overall heart health

- Provide education on the use of a defibrillator and CPR techniques

- Fundraise for a defibrillator for the Mallet St home ground

- Promote and get involvement from local sporting organisations and businesses





The Michael Hughes Foundation aims to

- Raise public interest and awareness regarding sudden cardiac arrest, its causes, symptoms, and measures that can be taken to improve the national incidence of this health issue;

- Raise money to purchase defibrillators on behalf of various community groups and individuals;

- Provide access for organisations, businesses and individuals to purchase Australia's leading defibrillators;

- Promote, educate and train the public on how to use defibrillators to enhance confidence in medical emergencies;

- Promote and educate the public in basic first aid training; and

- Honour the memory the Michael Hughes, telling his story and driving positive change from his tragic loss.