Man embarking on mammoth challenge asks Devon community for help
A man undertaking a mammoth ten-week charity challenge will, between 13th and 17th August, be travelling through different towns in Devon, including Sidmouth, Newton Abbot and Plymouth. His estimated time of arrival each day is 3.00pm.
Former armed forces skiing and mountain craft trainer, David Sullivan, 58, from Surrey, began The World’s Longest Golf Hole challenge on 11th June. Starting at John O’Groats, he will be walking over 1,000 miles and making an estimated quarter of a million golf shots, before he reaches his final destination, Land’s End.
David, who is taking on this unusual challenge to raise vital funds for the British Heart Foundation, is calling out to local companies and the community for help.
“My aim is to raise £60,000, which would place a life-saving defibrillator in every one of the locations I’ll be visiting on my route,” explains David. “To have a chance of reaching this goal, I’m calling out to local businesses and individuals to be as generous as they can — this generosity could easily save a life one day. That’s an incredible legacy for everyone who donates.”
At every one of David’s stops on his journey, he will be training local people for free on how to save lives using CPR.
David’s passion for teaching people CPR came about when he was faced with a life-or-death situation. When a young man experienced a cardiac arrest in front of him, David luckily knew what to do. He gave CPR for 17 minutes until the man could be treated with a defibrillator.
“It was thanks to my training, and a defibrillator being nearby, that I was able to help save the man, who luckily made a full recovery,” says David. “When something like that happens right in front of you, it makes you realise how precious life is and how important it is to know what to do in that kind of emergency. It was an experience which profoundly affected me, and now it’s my mission to create an army of life savers all over the country.”
American Golf are kindly sponsoring David on this adventure. Gary Favell, CEO of American Golf said: “When we heard about the incredible challenge David had set himself, we immediately wanted to lend American Golf’s support. David has found a way to harness his golfing prowess not only to highlight the importance of knowing CPR through his own personal experience, but to train people along his journey whilst raising funds for the British Heart Foundation – he is a true inspiration.
“American Golf champions inclusivity at every level, and we stand behind every player on their golfing journey – David’s is no exception, and we wish him every success on his mission.”
Donations can be made by visiting www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/david-sullivan-77.
Companies wishing to get involved in helping to fund a defibrillator in their region should visit www.creatinglifesavers.com.
