Mum-of-two launches ‘Backing a Beat’ campaign after life-saving cardiac arrest rescue

A fitness trainer is spearheading a vital campaign to increase access to defibrillators and CPR training after her own life was dramatically saved earlier this year.

Forty-four-year-old Emma Houldsworth had been taking her dog for a walk with partner Paul Tilley near their home in Bramley on 26 April 2025 when she suddenly collapsed in cardiac arrest.

Paul called 999 and started CPR, supported by a nurse who stopped to help and another member of the public who retrieved a defibrillator from Bramley Working Men’s Club.

Thanks to the swift actions of those around her and the attending ambulance crew, Emma was revived and taken to Leeds General Infirmary, where she received specialist treatment including surgery to fit an implantable defibrillator and an ablation for cardiac arrhythmia.

Emma said: “I am so grateful to Paul and the fact that he knew CPR. It's a vital skill; if you ever have to use it, it will likely be on someone you love. Learning it ensures you can give them the best possible chance in an emergency.”

Determined to turn her ordeal into positive action, Emma is sharing her story in support of Yorkshire Ambulance Service’s Restart a Heart campaign. She has also launched a ‘Backing a Beat’ fundraising drive to provide more defibrillators and CPR training in the community

The campaign has already inspired others, with friend Savita Nair, of Calverley, and her family donating a defibrillator each year in memory of her father who died from cardiac arrest, the first of which was installed outside Raynville Superstore in Bramley in August. Emma’s mum, Margaret, has also pledged a defibrillator, and Emma herself has raised £3,000 towards additional life-saving equipment.

Emma added: “I never imagined there would be anything wrong with my heart. I’ve always been fit and healthy and have looked after myself.

“I feel incredibly grateful that luck was on my side. If I hadn’t received timely CPR or defibrillation, it would have been a very different story. My children would have been without a mum, and my mum would have been without a daughter, only weeks after we had lost my dad. I just want other families to have the same chance that I did.”

For more information about the ‘Backing a Beat’ campaign or to find out how to donate, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/backinabeat?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=LFCCFUK_MomentDonLapse_SDEM&mi_u=54865668&mi_ecmp=LFCCFUK_MomentDonLapse_SDEM