Heart4More reaches screening target as Millwall back Foundation

Tuesday 25 Mar 2014
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The Heart4More Foundation has reached its £7,000 target for the Football Community Heart Screening fundraiser to screen 100 young people before a Premier League match.

Millwall FC will also become the first professional football club to back the Foundation with the first-team squad wearing Heart4More t-shirts in the warm up prior to their Sky Bet Championship match against Birmingham City at the Den this evening (25 March).

The Foundation, set up by former Lions player Tobi Alabi after he collapsed during a football match and was subsequently forced to retire, has used CrowdFunder as a means of enabling players, fans and local communities to donate to the cause.

With over 50 footballers dying in the past 10 years due to heart-related issues, the Heart4More Foundation aims to make it mandatory for all professional footballers to be screened on a yearly basis, as well as giving players education on heart conditions and symptoms to look out for.

Tobi Alabi, Founder of the Heart4More Foundation, said: “I’m absolutely ecstatic that we’ve hit the target with two days to go. From the bottom of my heart I’d like to thank every single person who supported this landmark effort, whether it be financially or by word of mouth.

“I also want to say a public thank you to God for allowing me to be alive to kick-start this movement and special thank you to Arsenal youngster Hector Bellerin whose support has been immense.”

Ravit Anand, PR & Media Manager for the Foundation, commented: “I’m delighted that we have not just hit our £7,000 target but surpassed it. Thank you to everyone who supported the fundraiser, especially those who donated to set us on our way to screen 100 young people.

“The Foundation would also like to thank all the professional players who have backed the cause, especially Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin whose support has been nothing short of inspirational.”

Donations can still be made via CrowdFunder with the deadline set for 4pm tomorrow (26 March). To donate, please click here.

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