"It saved my life...I am so thankful": Former Wigan striker Charlie Wyke thanks Leam Richardson after heart stops during training

Former Wigan Athletic striker Charlie Wyke has thanked his manager for saving his life after his heart stopped for four minutes during a training session.

The footballer knew something wasn't right when he suddenly suffered a cardiac arrest during his training with the League One side in November 2021. His heart stopped for four minutes - but boss Leam Richardson saved his live by administering CPR.

The former Sunderland player was then rushed to Wigan Infirmary and then Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, where he was fitted with a implantable defibrillator as he recovered.

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The duo have now relived the day in a film shot at Wembley for the launch of the BHF and Sky Bet 'Every Minute Matters' campaign, which urges people to take 15 minutes to learn CPR with a free online tool.

After Charlie’s cardiac arrest, Leam acted quickly beginning the resuscitation process with CPR, before club doctor Jonathan Tobin - who also saved the life of Fabrice Muamba on the pitch in 2012 when the Bolton midfielder collapsed against Tottenham - took over.

Charlie Wyke has joined an inspiring line-up of footballers impacted by life-threatening heart conditions dubbed the ‘Re-Starting 11’. The one-off team includes former international stars Graeme Souness, David Ginola, Glenn Hoddle and current Luton Town captain Tom Lockyer.

Charlie Wyke said: “I think it’s absolutely key that everybody learns CPR. It only takes 15 minutes to learn online. It's so important because you never know when you might need it. It saved my life, and I am so thankful that Leam and Dr Tobin were on hand to help administer CPR when they did.”

As part of the campaign, Sky Bet has pledged to raise £3 million to fund the BHF’s vital work. Sky Bet will be donating £10,000 for every goal scored in the Sky Bet Play-Offs.

Leam Richardson, said: “From the experience I had with Charlie, I know that learning CPR is paramount. I was so thankful I knew how to administer CPR on that day in 2021, alongside the help of Dr Tobin and the team.

"Charlie’s story had a happy ending and its; greta to see him back playing but that’s only possible thanks to CPR. I’d encourage everyone to take the time to learn it - it’s a vital skill and never know you might just help save someone’s life.”

Dr Charmaine Griffiths, Chief Executive at British Heart Foundation, said: “Charlie and Leam’s story is a powerful reminder that CPR saves lives.

“These lifesaving skills really can be the difference between life and death. That’s why we’re urging everyone to take 15 minutes to learn CPR via our free online tool RevivR. Together we hope we will equip thousands more fans with the knowledge and confidence to perform CPR and use a defibrillator in the crucial moments following a cardiac arrest - because in the ultimate medical emergency, every minute really does matter.”

There are more than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK each year. With each minute that passes without CPR, the chances of survival are reduced by up to 10 per cent.