Former football manager and TV star Harry Redknapp is the new face of a sepsis campaign after his wife, Sandra, narrowly survived the life-threatening condition.
The 78-year-old I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! winner is fronting the ‘It’s Game On For Sepsis’ campaign for the UK Sepsis Trust, following his wife’s hospital treatment for the condition in 2018.
Redknapp said: “In 2018, my wife Sandra developed sepsis from a kidney infection. It was a terrifying experience – but we were lucky.
“She survived; 48,000 families across the UK aren’t as fortunate.
“That’s why I’ve teamed up with the UK Sepsis Trust to get lifesaving information in front of as many people as possible.”
It’s Game On For Sepsis will allow people to play the Sepsis Savvy Shootout, an online game to enter a draw to meet Redknapp.
Dr Ron Daniels, founder and chief medical officer of the UK Sepsis Trust (UKST), added: “Sports communities look after one another and rally around those in need. It’s this very ethos that inspired the idea for our Game On campaign.
“The likelihood is that someone in your community has already been impacted by sepsis, whether directly or indirectly, and at UKST we’re committed to raising awareness of this life-changing condition.
“We’re delighted to have Harry supporting our campaign – our goal is to empower every community to become sepsis savvy.”
The trust says 48,000 lives are lost to sepsis in the UK each year, with 245,000 affected annually by the condition that can result in multiple organ failure.
The NHS says sepsis occurs when the body’s immune system overreacts to an infection and starts to damage its own tissues and organs.
It says the condition can be hard to spot, with symptoms sometimes similar to flu and chest infections. Anyone who suspects they or someone else has sepsis should call 999 or go to A&E immediately.
The deadline to enter the prize draw is September 30, but the game will remain on the charity’s website as an informative tool.
Redknapp began his career in 1965 and played for teams including West Ham United and Bournemouth before retiring in the early-1980s.
He went on to manage clubs including Spurs, West Ham, Southampton and Portsmouth, where he took the team to an unexpected FA Cup win in 2008.
He and Sandra have two sons, including former England footballer Jamie Redknapp, who now works as a pundit on Sky Sports.
Redknapp is an uncle to Coventry City manager Frank Lampard, who also played for England.
