Ride for Ugo

Laurence Gant, Head of Academy Sports Medicine and Science, is set to take part in a five-day charity cycle in memory of his friend, and our former U23’s coach Ugo Ehiogu.

A highly respected former Premier League player, England international and progressive young coach, Ugo suffered a cardiac arrest on 20 April 2017, and passed away in the early hours of the following morning.

Next year will see the fifth anniversary of Ugo’s passing and to celebrate his life, over a five-day period Laurence will cycle between all the football clubs that Ugo played for.

The challenge, which will take place in April, 2022, will see Laurence starting at Glasgow Rangers, where he will then cycle to Middlesbrough, Leeds United, Sheffield United and arrive at Aston Villa on 9 April, ahead of our Premier League match. The final leg of the journey will see Laurence cycle from Villa Park to the Club's training centre, Hotspur Way.

Ugo believed in helping others, and in his now famous last tweet, even encouraged people to do #DoSomethingKind, reminding us on the importance of helping those less fortunate.

Anyone who wishes to make a donation, however big or small, can do so via Laurence’s JustGiving page...

Money raised will go towards buying defibrillators and providing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training for grass roots football clubs. CPR training helps raise awareness of cardiac arrests and gives people the ability and confidence to save lives. By administering CPR, it increases the possibility of surviving cardiac arrest.

Laurence said: “Ugo was one of the most inspirational people I ever had the privilege of knowing. Football is an amazing sport that not only allows people to exercise, but to also join a community providing support and help to others at all levels. Through the challenge, I am hoping to raise money in his memory to deliver defibrillators and training to grass roots football so we can support people of all ages to play and enjoy football safely. Football is a community and together we can #DoSomethingKind.”

Earlier this week, first team doctor Ravi Gill delivered a CPR workshop with Year 6 pupils at Seven Sisters Primary School.

The event was held to mark the instillation of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), provided by the Premier League, at the Ugo Ehiogu Mini Pitch, a football pitch at the school which was named in honour of our former Under-23s coach.

Gemma Ehiogu, Premier League referee Chris Foy and former Premier League player Dion Dublin, Ugo's team-mate at Villa, were also in attendance at the workshop.

Speaking at the event, Ravi said: “Early CPR and defibrillator use is the key to surviving a cardiac arrest. Accessibility of equipment and training in its use is paramount. It is important to inspire children to gain these skills, as it can make the difference in saving somebody’s life. The students of Seven Sisters Primary School showed great enthusiasm for learning CPR and were an absolute pleasure to teach."