SPICEBALL LEISURE CENTRE STAFF COMMENDED FOR LIFESAVING ACTIONS

21 October 2021 –

Staff at Spiceball Leisure Centre have been awarded Certificates of Meritorious Action and recognition by the Royal Life Saving Society after saving a man’s life at the centre in July.

Michael Ream collapsed at the centre after a swim session and the team heroically rushed to give him chest compressions and used a defibrillator to revive him. 

In light of their actions, RLSS UK CEO, Robert Gofton, presented the awards to the team alongside Parkwood Leisure Operations Director, Alex Godfrey.

National awards for lifesaving and meritorious action are made only for outstanding acts that demonstrate heroism, skill, or bravery. The team demonstrated all of those qualities that day.

Furthemore, Glen Hall, Managing Director of Parkwood Leisure, received a letter from Thames Valley Ambulance Service expressing how professional and diligent the team were in managing the incident, stating that their actions saved Michael’s life. 

Michael has already paid a visit to the team to thank them for their efforts just a week after the incident happened. He is now continuing his rehabilitation which includes regular swimming, the activity he had completed on the day of the incident.

Alex Godfrey, Operations Director of Parkwood Leisure said “The actions of the team at Spiceball Leisure Centre that day make me immensely proud. Their response was pivotal in saving Michael’s life and the awards they have received are recognition of the skills and efforts they displayed. The incident highlights the importance of staff training and having defibrillators at our sites.”

Robert Gofton, CEO of the RLSS for the UK added: “It gives me great pleasure to award these certificates to the staff at Spiceball Leisure Centre. Michael’s life was saved that day through their outstanding skill and bravery. We at the RLSS always look to recognise acts of heroism and this particular incident certainly deserves that.”