Charity's late call for nominees

Organised by charity Hand on Heart, the nationwide awards were launched to reward individuals and organisations who've successfully raised funds to purchase defibrillators for their local communities.

Hand on Heart was set up to prevent the deaths of the 12 young people who die due to sudden cardiac arrest every week. Now in their fifth year, the charity's prestigious awards at the Midland Hotel in Manchester on Friday 7 October cover 13 categories. Entries are made online by completing a simple application form but time is running out with a fast approaching deadline of Friday 10 June.

Hand on Heart have already received more than 500 nominations but are urging clubs to nominate fundraisers or even individuals who have saved a life before next Friday's deadline.

Spokeswoman Dee Wild said: "There is still time for a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the work and actions of companies, organisations and individuals and gain recognition. Wishing everyone the best of luck with their entries."

Since 2011 the charity has placed over 800 defibrillators in schools and communities across the UK as well as training over 5000 people to use them and teaching more than 17,000 children how to perform basic life support. For more information visit: www.ukheartsafeawards.co.uk.

The Ryman League unveiled the British Heart Foundation last year as its charity partner for the 2015-2016 season.

The BHF - the nation's heart charity and largest independent funder of cardiovascular research - was subsequently presented with a cheque for £1064.74 at the Ryman’s Christmas lunch, one third of the proceeds from last August's Isthmian Charity Shield.

As part of a renewed community commitment, the Ryman League is supporting a new charity each season. Over the 2015-16 campaign, clubs were encouraged to fundraise and promote simple hands-only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) through the BHF's national ‘Call Push Rescue’ campaign.

Heart disease is the UK's single biggest killer and the BHF was chosen after Tonbridge Angels launched their successful Football Fightback campaign, raising more than £25,000 for young players in Kent to undergo heart screening following the tragic death of trialist Junior Dian after a pre-season friendly at Whyteleafe last summer.

The Ryman League also worked successfully with the BHF and the Football Association to underwrite two thirds of the costs of defibrillators for Non-League clubs and provide life-saving CPR training to thousands of fans, officials and players in the wake of Fabrice Muamba's collapse and subsequent recovery in 2012 with a heart condition while playing for Bolton Wanderers at Spurs in the FA Cup.

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