British hardman Vinnie Jones will get ’emotional’
Vinnie Jones was left ’emotional’ after meeting a man who saved his best friend’s life when he suffered cardiac arrest on the pitch – all thanks to his memorable CPR advert.
The former footballer, 59, fronted the British Heart Foundation’s Hands-Only television advert to raise awareness of how to perform CPR in emergencies back in 2012.
In the commercial, the British hardman showed how to people the life-saving procedure properly to the rhythm of the Bee Gee classic disco hit Stayin’ Alive.
On Wednesday, Jones learned how the advert helped save the life of a man who had collapsed whilst playing football.
Tom Dunning, from Lincoln, had been playing six-a-side on a ‘normal misty night’ in 2018 when his best friend Lucas went into a sudden cardiac arrest at half-time.
Despite having no prior training, Tom recalled what he had learned in Vinnie’s advert and jumped into action to perform hands-only CPR for about 15 mins, until ambulance crews arrived.
Jones (pictured being interviewed by BBC Breakfast) had encouraged people to perform CPR to the rhythm of the Bee Gee classic disco hit Stayin Alive
The memorable message in the advert stayed with Tom Dunning (left), who used the information to save his friend Lucas in 2018
The former footballer played a starring role in the British Heart Foundation’s Hands-Only television advert back in 2012
Mr Dunning told BBC Breakfast: ‘It was half-time and he [Lucas] just went down. It wasn’t like he was tired. My fight or flight just kicked in and the amazing advert that Vinnie Jones did just came back into my mind.
‘I thought nothing of it at the time and I thought that was just a great advert. Thankfully it all came back at the right time so I could perform CPR.
‘I was off work at the time when I saw the advert and it just stuck and six years later it just came out. I was singing Stayin Alive while doing compressions.’
Jones, who was listening to Mr Dunning recount the ordeal, told viewers the story had made him feel ’emotional’.
Speaking from his West Sussex home, Vinnie said: ‘It makes you a bit emotional… Thankfully you are still here lads. If I was drinking I would be round there and get a beer off you.’
In the 2012 advert, Jones evokes his usual tough guy persona and enters a warehouse building flanked by two associates, one of which is carrying a boombox.
The ex-midfielder then looks at the camera and says: ‘My name is Vinnie Jones and I am going to teach you a lesson you will never forget.
He continues: ‘There are times in life when being tough comes in handy. Say some geezer collapses in front of you. What do you do? We need a volunteer that ain’t breathing.’
The Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels star is then thrown an unconscious person and quips: ‘Here’s one I made earlier.’
Jones then outlines all the protocols a person would need to follow whilst performing hands-only CPR, saying the memorable line: ‘You only kiss your Mrs on the lips.’
The advert was such a success that the Hollywood actor has linked up with the charity again to do another advert this year.
Jones was being interviewed at the same time via a video link and admitted the story had made him ’emotional’
Asked about the 2012 advert, Jones said this morning: ‘It was funny. It was catchy. It was out of the box for me. It was so powerful it caught on and went viral straight away. It had such a strong message.’
Thanks to the advert, Tom was able to keep his friend Lucas alive, something which the latter is forever grateful for.
Lucas said: ‘I don’t remember much thankfully. Next thing I remember is waking up in hospital and having to come to terms with what had happened.
‘Life changing day and I’m just glad Tom was there. There was a bit of fate in there that he remembered his training from the advert. The stars aligned on a very bad day.’
Jones has also signed for Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation’ ‘Every Minute Matters’ campaign ahead of transfer deadline day.
With less than 48 hours until the summer window slams shut, Sky Bet – in partnership with the cardiovascular research charity – pulled off a stunning coup by luring former Wimbledon, Leeds United and Chelsea hard man Jones as part of their star-studded ‘Re-Starting 11’ squad including Graeme Souness and Luton captain Tom Lockyer.
The Every Minute Matters campaign seeks to educate people on life-saving CPR training
Football legend turned Hollywood actor Vinnie Jones has signed for Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation by joining their ‘Every Minute Matters’ campaign ahead of deadline day
As part of the ‘Every Minute Matters’ campaign, which seeks to educate people on potentially life-saving CPR training, Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation have set a target of 270,000 people to start learning CPR by the end of the 2024-25 campaign, which got underway just less than a fortnight ago.
Upon signing his new deal, Jones said: ‘Out of all my roles on and off the pitch, teaming up with Sky Bet and the BHF might just be one of my most important roles. It quite literally could be lifesaving.
‘Sky Bet’s football fan survey shows that low awareness and lack of confidence is holding fans back from stepping up, but the reality is fans have nothing to fear as learning CPR is simple and easy and only takes 15 mins with the BHF’s online RevivR tool.
‘That’s why, this season I’m urging football fans to back the Every Minute Matters campaign and ask themselves one simple question – will they stand by or will they step up to learn CPR and potentially save someone’s life.’
