Martial arts board in £1k gesture to charity

Paul Barnett with Cherry Leaf club colleagues after he was rushed into hospital

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THE World Ju-Jitsu Federation has awarded £1,000 to a hospital charity after they provided lifesaving treatment for one of their Oldham members.

Paul Barnett (52), who coaches the traditional Japanese martial art in Oldham, was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment when he suffered a heart attack.

The Fitton Hill teacher had unexpectedly collapsed during a 4th Dan Black Belt grading session at the WJJF's Clark Centre in Liverpool.

The WJJF, one of the largest Ju-Jitsu organisations in the world, has praised the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital for saving Mr Barnett's life.

Sensei Mr Barnett, who co-owns The Cherry Leaf Ju-Jitsu Club, said: "All I can remember is having a massive pain and then everything going black."

A section of the training place, referred to as a Dojo, where the coach had fallen was immediately isolated and screened off following the incident on October 1.

A WJJF coach who is also a retired member of the ambulance service tended to Mr Barnett, with help from other coaches who are trained first aiders.

The venue's defibrillator, purchased by the WJJF and parents of students at the Clark Centre, was brought to the scene before the paramedics arrived.

Grateful Mr Barnett, who secured his 1st Dan in 1995, said: "The paramedics were absolutely marvellous and got me straight to hospital, where I was assessed and had a stent inserted into my heart.

"My heart had to be shocked on two occasions during the treatment.

"Amazingly I was sitting up in bed within a couple of hours.

"I can't praise the hospital's staff highly enough. The care and attention they gave me, as well as their quick and decisive actions, definitely saved my life."

The long-standing coach teaches at Cherry Leaf, which is believed to be Oldham's oldest martial arts club, with a history dating back more than 40 years.

He took on the judo club in 2004 alongside training partner Sensei Gary Dalloway and the pair now train members in the art of defeating an opponent without using a weapon.

The Fazakerley-based WJJF presented the hospital charity with a £1,000 cheque to say thank you.

Head of Fundraising for LHCH Charity Mary Liley said: "This is an amazing gesture from the WJJF and we can't thank them enough."