A Nottingham pub will be remembering a man who died following a cardiac arrest aged just 28, by showing drinkers how to save a life.
A team of A&E nurses from the Queen's Medical Centre will be giving informal CPR training and tips on how to use a defibrillator at the Sir John Borlase Warren's charity event.
It follows the death of Tom Cooney, of Calverton, who collapsed while playing rugby in London on Mother's Day 2017. He was given CPR but there wasn't a defibrillator available.
Tom was rushed to hospital but didn't regain consciousness and two days later his life support machine was switched off.
A post mortem examination revealed his death was caused by an undiagnosed heart condition. As a result his parents Alison and Kevin Cooney, who still live in Calverton, launched a petition calling for defibrillators in all public places, which has gathered more than 606,000 signatures.
One of the charity day organisers, Adam Godfrey, area manager of pubs belonging to Hucknall-based Lincoln Green Brewery, had been friends with Tom for more than 18 years.
He and four other friends are putting on the event at the pub in Canning Circus, this Saturday, September 7, in Tom's memory.
Adam, 30, from Calverton said: "We all started hanging around together when we were in secondary school and then quickly became inseparable after that. We used to spend all of our time in and out of school together, either kicking a rugby ball around the local park or taking part in things like the Duke of Edinburgh award. We were definitely outdoors-y type kids.
"Tom was very much larger than life, he towered above us all in height and his personality was always very outgoing."
After finishing uni in Leeds, he moved to London, working for companies such as Dyson and Boots.
"But he would still find time to come and visit Nottingham every now and then to see friends and family," said Adam.
As well as emergency first aid training, and to mark what would have been Tom's 30th birthday, the event will also raise money to buy a defibrillator.
"Since his passing we have all ended up learning more about what could have been done to help save somebody in Tom's situation," said Adam.
"The main one being, the access to a defibrillator, which is why it is our aim to raise enough money to buy one for the local area where Tom grew up.
"Nearly a third of adults in the UK would not attempt to give CPR because they are unsure on how to give it properly. That is why we have organised for a team of nurses from the QMC’s A&E department to come and explain how to as many people as possible - in a really casual environment. And where better than a beer garden?!
"There will be no tests or classes just gentle encouragment."
There will also be a barbecue, with all proceeds going towards the defibrillator appeal, plus a pub quiz, live music from Lynz Crichton, and a raffle with prizes from Notts County, the Pudding Pantry, the Crowne Plaza, the Cross Keys at Epperstone and The Woodlark at Lambley.
The party will get under way at the pub, in Ilkeston Road, at 1pm.
