A YOUNG footballer has kicked off a lifesaving campaign to protect his teammates, inspired by a shocking incident at the Euro 2020.

Oscar Jones was worried when Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen went into cardiac arrest during a football match against Finland on Saturday.

The professional footballer is only alive today after medics used a defibrillator on the pitch to save his life.

The seven-year-old Man Utd fan wants to by a similar lifesaving machine for his Cuddington Sandiway football team in Northwich.

In two days he has already raised an incredible £4,500 and quadrupled his target.

The Cuddington Primary School pupil is mounting a mini marathon - walking one mile every day for 26 miles - to raise funds for a defibrillator.

Dad Ben, who coaches the under sevens with Alec Williams and Johnnie Kane, said: "Oscar asked me what if this was to happen to someone to one of our team? It took my breath away.

"As an FA coach, we can do CPR are trained to to use a defibrillator but we don't have one.

"We potentially don't have the equipment that could save someone's life.

"For a seven year old to want to do something like this is phenomenal.

"Eriksen is one of the finest athletes in world sport so this proves that nobody is safe from a cardiac arrest."

A defibrillator is a device that restores normal heartbeat by sending an electrical pulse or shock to the heart.

The machines are easy to use and can also restore the heart's beating if the heart suddenly stops.

"We are going to buy a portable defib so that it will go wherever the team goes," said Ben, whose team plays on Weaverham Road field in Sandiway.

"It's doesn't just protect the players as there are often around 100 people watching our matches with all the parents, referees and officials.

"We don't want to have to use it but it will be peace of mind to all the parents and grandparents to know it is there."

Northwich Guardian:

Oscar and Ben plan to run one mile every day for 26 days

Oscar's mum Hannah and brothers Theo, four, and Zachery, two, are all proud of Oscar's efforts.

"He is football mad," said Ben. "He has been playing since he was three.

"He raised over £500 in the first hour hours. He doesn't know how amazing that amount of money is. We are all so proud of him.

"Times are hard but people have been so generous," said Ben. "One person has donated £100. By the amount of money raised, it shows that lots of people are of the same opinion as us that it's just a no brainer to get these defibs.

"I hope this will encourage other teams to do the same thing."

To donate visit gofundme.com/f/oscars-run-for-a-team-defibrillator