Friends and family of a Millwall fan who died aged just 59 from a heart attack are raising money to buy a defibrillator and help boost awareness of their importance in saving lives.
Terry Houlihan died last June after suffering a heart attack on May 25 in Maidstone in Kent. His daughters said he would have survived if there had been a defibrillator nearby.
They are walking 32 miles from Maidstone United’s Gallagher Stadium to Millwall ground the Den on June 11, to raise money for a defibrillator through charity London Hearts.
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The walk will go past Draughts, Terry’s local pub in Eltham in south-east London. After the Den, the group will go onto the Blue Anchor on Southwark Park Road for pie and mash.
Terry’s daughters Stevie and Carlie said in a statement: “On the 25th May our dad was on his way to work and sadly had a cardiac arrest, numerous people helped give him CPR, but unfortunately our dad passed away three weeks later. Had there been a defibrillator nearby Dad would have still been alive today.
“We and close friends of our dads are doing a 32-mile walk to from [Maidstone’s] Gallagher stadium to the Den as Dad was a lifelong Millwall supporter to raise funds for a [defibrillator] and raise more awareness as to how important [they] are- they are the difference between life and death.
“Dad was only 59, fit and healthy and taken far to soon. Our dad, our hero, a true Millwall lion.”
The family will also hold a separate fundraising event for defibrillators on July 23.
To donate to the fundraiser click here.