Life saved by quick-thinking staff at Lifestyles Leisure Centre

A grandfather who suffered a heart attack at Lifestyles Ellergreen leisure centre has praised Council staff for saving his life, calling their swift response “unbelievable.”

On Wednesday, 14 August, 80-year-old Ted Sturgeon, who is a regular visitor to the leisure centre, collapsed from heart failure as he entered the dryside changing area.

Within 30 seconds, quick-thinking staff responded, led by Duty Manager Arron McCann, alongside Training Officer Natalie Wainwright and Attendant Heather Gibb.

In a display of rapid teamwork, four members of staff were delivering CPR to Ted in under a minute, including Attendant Tracy Hulks, who was also on duty. A defibrillator shock was administered just 90 seconds after the collapse.

Ted, a former joiner from Norris Green, began to show signs of recovery after four minutes of CPR and two defibrillator shocks, a critical window in which the team’s immediate action made all the difference.

Paramedics, who arrived on the scene six minutes later, commended the staff, describing their response as “one of the best they had witnessed”.

Ted, who has since had an internal cardiac defibrillator fitted, recently returned to the centre to reunite with the team who saved his life. The reunion was emotional, with staff reflecting on the life-saving events of that day, and many were moved to tears.

The team have now been invited to Liverpool Town Hall, where they will be personally thanked for their efforts by the city’s Lord Mayor, Cllr Richard Kemp.

Serious Violence Remembrance Evening at Liverpool Town Hall. Credit: Liverpool City Council.

Ted Sturgeon said:

“I can’t thank the team enough for what they did that day. Their quick response and the way they worked together were unbelievable.

“I owe my life to them, and I’ll never forget how their actions saved me. I’m just so grateful to be here today.”

Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:

“The incredible actions of the staff at Lifestyles Ellergreen are a testament to the training and dedication they bring to their roles every day.

“Their quick thinking and the life-saving skills they’ve developed through their training made all the difference in this situation.

“We are extremely proud of their efforts and the vital work they do, not just in supporting people’s health and wellbeing, but in being prepared for emergencies like this. It’s clear that having such training in place can literally save lives.”