Red Sky Foundation partners with North East LGBTQ+ charity to save lives during Pride Month
Four defibrillators have been donated to areas where Pride will be celebrated in the North East.
Two North East charities have teamed up to provide life-saving equipment to the LGBTQ+ community.
Red Sky Foundation is a North East based charity which raises funds for defibrillators, which have been installed in key locations across the region.
The charity has also raised over £1.5million to buy essential items for cardiac units in hospitals across the North East, as well as to provide support, facilities and after care for families at the children’s heart unit at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital, Sunderland Royal Hospital and James Cook Hospital.
As part of Pride Month, Red Sky Foundation have teamed up with LGBTQ+ charity Out North East, to ensure defibrillators are readily available in areas and venues where Pride will be celebrated.
Out North East is an inclusive LGBTQ+ events charity, who are the organisers of Pride celebrations in Gateshead, Sunderland and South Tyneside.
The partnership with the Red Sky Foundation means that defibrillators have been donated in each North East area where a Pride celebration is set to take place, including; Rainbow Hub at Sunniside Garden in Sunderland, Chopwell Woods in Gateshead and at Bents Park in South Shields.
A defibrillator has also been donated to popular LGBTQ+ nightlife spot, Bobby’s Bar in Newcastle.
Peter Darrant, CEO of Out North East, said: “At Out North East we are all about changing hearts and minds and getting people to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community.
“Now, thanks to the generosity of Red Sky Foundation and the amazing work they we can also help save lives.
“We are very grateful to the charity for these life-saving donations.”
Sergio Petrucci MBE, who set up Red Sky Foundation with his wife Emma, said: “When someone has a medical emergency, every second counts and using early CPR and a defibrillator can make a huge difference to the chance of survival.
“Sudden cardiac arrest does not discriminate; it can literally happen to anyone.
“We pride ourselves as being an inclusive charity and continue to provide support for everyone and we are committed to treating everyone fairly, regardless of sexual orientation.
“Diversity, equality and inclusion are some of our core values and at the same time it’s vital that people are educated in the use of CPR, that knowledge could help save a life until medical help arrives on the scene.
“We are delighted to have teamed up with Out North East using our charitable funds raised to put four more machines in key locations with the knowledge that they will help save more lives.”
Please visit the websites of Red Sky Foundation and Out North East for more information on the charities.