As many of you are aware back in February this year, our good friend Paul Hagan suffered a life changing heart attack. At the time Paul was training for Europe’s toughest one-day cycle event “The Marmotte Granfondo”. Like most crazy endeavours it had its origins in a beery night, where bravado got the better of common sense and Paul signed up to the challenge along with cycling buddies Nick Fewtrell, Paddy Westbury, Chris Renardson and Adrian Bennett.

As many of you will also be aware, following his cardiac arrest, Paul’s life was saved by an Automated external defibrillator (AED) in the hands of a member of the general public.

We, Paul’s cycling buddies have teamed up with Nicky Lawrence, the Inspire Youth Group to form TEAM HAGAN. With your support, by raising money The Sussex Heart Charity we can fund a 24Hr Public Access Defibrillator for Cuckfield.

Following a Cardiac Arrest the chance of survival decreases by 23% per minute. So, it is vital that medical treatment starts as soon as possible. The UK Resuscitation Council suggests an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) should be available wherever medical treatment is more than 5 minutes away. In practical terms this means almost the whole of the UK and these modern devices are designed to be used safely by the general public in case of an emergency.

http://www.sussexheartcharity.org/ 

Paul’s serious illness has resulted in him, Kate, Tom and Ellie facing a mountain far greater than anything the Alps has to offer but we know that they will rise to the challenge with the strength and positive determination that characterises the Hagan’s. Please help Team Hagan to raise enough money to fund this life saving equipment.

You can support us by giving here or through events planned by Nicky and the Inspire Group.   

For the record, The Marmotte covers a distance of 174.4 km (108.4 mi) and with 5,180 m (16,990 ft.) of climbing, it is considered as comparable to any of the most challenging high mountain stages of the Tour de France and involves the famous Tour de France mountains  including the Col du Glandon, Col du Telegraphe, Col du Galibier and the final ascent of the legendary Alpe d'Huez.

http://www.sportcommunication.info/web2010/epreuve2.php?langue=2&trophee=128