After the tragic death of an ice hockey player in Nottingham, a member of staff at Romford’s Raiders was compelled to prevent it happening again.
American Adam Johnson was killed in an incident on October 28 while playing for Nottingham Panthers. A man was later arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.
Upon seeing the news Erin Rose, sports therapist for Raiders, who play at Sapphire Ice and Leisure, quickly set up Adam’s Angels.
The aim was to raise enough money to fund bleed control kits for all 106 of the UK’s Elite Ice Hockey League and British National League teams.
In less than two weeks after Adam Johnson’s death, enough sponsorship and funding had been pledged to Adam’s Angels, so Erin partnered with Turtle, the company that developed the UK’s first bleed control cabinet.
The first batch of kits have now been delivered to teams, with all teams set to receive one before Christmas.
Erin said: “The whole ice hockey community was deeply affected (by Adam Johnson's death) and having witnessed some serious cuts on the ice myself, now had to be the time to bring some peace of mind to players and their families.
“The response through the therapy directory I set up and a social media campaign was beyond overwhelming, and I was able to speak to Turtle within a week or so to place the order for 106 bleed control kits - one for each of the men’s and women’s National and Elite League teams within the UK. From there Adam’s Angels was born.”
She added: “On behalf of the 106 UK ice hockey teams that now have the kit which can control a catastrophic bleed and save someone’s live, I’d like to say a massive thank you to all of Adam’s Angels.
“Without them and their kind donations and sponsorship from the wider hockey community this wouldn’t have been possible.
“Now when the teams play their next matches, Adam and his team of Angels will be on the bench should an accident happen.”
Mike Dowson, founder and managing director of Turtle Defib Cabinets, said: “It’s astounding what has been achieved in such a short space of time since the very sad passing of Adam and the sponsors and donors really are angels.
“I was delighted Erin asked Turtle to help and we’re proud to be partnering with Adam’s Angels to help make ice hockey a safer sport to play with our ambulance service approved and registerable bleed control kits.
“It has been moving to see the first teams holding their packs and we hope the support for Adam’s Angels continues so even more teams can benefit beyond the 106.”
The support for Adam’s Angels has been so extensive that the fundraising target is on the way to supply all UK Junior teams with bleed control kits.
People who wish to donate can do so on the Adam’s Angels Just Giving page at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ErinRose77
The future aim is to support ice hockey teams in gaining higher levels of first aid training and to provide even more lifesaving equipment. Adam’s Angels is exploring official charity registration.
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