Preamble; A well-respected gym member died on 02/05/2025 due to multiple basic operational failures of the Romford YMCA Thames Gateway branch. We want to get justice for the gentleman, because YMCA Thames Gateway were quite prepared to lie to the deceased's family on the contributing factors around why he was 'snubbed of his life' under the charity's duty of care. 

FINER DETAILS

My school friend recently rekindled from our past, was caught in an unimaginable situation.

As the only person on-site with CPR training at the time, he now bears the heavy burden of guilt for not being able to save a man's life—a tragedy that could have been avoided if YMCA Thames Gateway, Romford Roneo Corner branch had adhered to basic health and safety protocols.

Despite his ability to perform CPR, the absence of trained staff, and the inaccessibility of a defibrillator that was called for in excess of five consecutive times, later found to be housed in a locked room, sets the stage for this catastrophe. 

To make matters worse, YMCA Thames Gateway released a false statement that not only ignored their own failures but also enraged the very community it serves.

Residents who witnessed the event were left traumatized and demanding action. This incident has put a spotlight on the questionable governance of the charity, raising questions that have called for urgent answers.

YMCA Thames Gateway's negligence in this matter is undisputable. The fact that a life was lost due to a preventable scenario is a clear indication that the organization has failed in its duty of care. The community in Romford demands accountability and change. It is crucial that YMCA Thames Gateway ceases all operations at 29 Rush Green Road, RM7 0PH with immediate effect, including its residential services, childcare facilities, tutoring services, and gym membership offerings to prevent any further harm to the public.

We urge local authorities and relevant governing bodies to investigate the governance of YMCA Thames Gateway and the running of this establishment thoroughly. Immediate reforms are necessary to ensure that such tragedies do not happen again.

Recognizing the need for transparency and responsibility in this matter and all matters going forward is paramount.

Lives should not be at risk due to carelessness and procedural failures.

Romford deserves better, and the time for change is now. Lives lost to negligence and oversight cannot be tolerated.

 

"We learn from our mistakes" ~ Receptionist on duty at the time of the tragedy.

Yet, some 36 hours later - the life saving AED defibrillator still remained behind the staff-only area behind reception.

Your signature can be the voice of reason and a plea for a safer, more accountable community service.

Stand with us by signing this petition to ensure that YMCA Thames Gateway, Romford Roneo is duly investigated. We advocate for reform for the safety and well-being of all its patrons and the wider community.

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We also encourage any residents or ex-residents of the Romford YMCA branch to comment their first-hand experiences to see if they reflect an improvement or deterioration of the management, the building condition, facility conditions, and levels of support received.

It needs to be understood exactly how much unnecessary potential harm that this organisation has exposed local children, elderly and vulnerable groups to; and why it has never been addressed - and why has it taken so long for outraged locals to bring everything they do so poorly into the public eye.

With all due respect, a man is dead.

Enough is enough.

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ACTION TAKEN TO RAISE AWARENESS OF UNSATISFACTORY GOVERNANCE OF YMCA THAMES GATEWAY:

1. EVIDENCE OF SQUALOR IN RESIDENTIAL OFFERING COSTING £1,792.40 a month - 144 residents totals £258,105PCM income (offering: shared bathrooms, 12²m room with sinks that take days to drain); https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1hzPxBWPJUa7DwJoi-BgFcGMlwmxvd27b
2. FACEBOOK POST, AND ACCURATE ACCOUNTS OF THE TRAUMATISED RESIDENT WHO ADMINISTERED CPR: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16eby3s1sK/
3. BARKING & DAGENHAM POST: https://www.barkinganddagenhampost.co.uk/news/25137485.ymca-romford-slammed-handling-medical-emergency/
4. ROMFORD RECORDER: https://www.romfordrecorder.co.uk/news/25136634.ymca-romford-gym-shut-member-dies-medical-emergency/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR5ABYdKf-8CrtgwMNWdMivOXd47wVOXFF01pPNKSSOV4NYqlGx4Am7yMZxqlw_aem_qHPgyyu2R5EI9s7USCguXg
5. LOCAL LONDON NEWS: https://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/25136634.ymca-romford-gym-shut-member-dies-medical-emergency/
6. OTHER NEWS OUTLETS: https://uknip.co.uk/news/uk/breaking/outrage-man-dies-ymca/?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwKD6CxjbGNrAoPoK2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEewuF4b5nYcRYsA7E4WRgMYHNk9qHi-uC5LvakPNvmEfM981bbuepJ51gr6jc_aem_d2YbcVUsoNBKeTxNot5oow

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AUTHORITIES CONSULTED:

Companies House - CONTACTED ✅️ (for irresponsibly not reporting financial accounts and tax liabilities, overdue by 95 days - as of 05-05-2025)

Charity Commission - CONTACTED ✅️ (to address compliance failures, corruption and for recklessly not reporting financial accounts and tax liabilities as required as a charitable cause, overdue by 95 days - as of 05-05-2025)

Health & Safety Executive - CONTACTED ✅️ (concerning the organisations non-compliance with Health & Safety regulations that cannot be ignored, their role in this man's tragic death and it's subsequent ability to safeguard and reasonably protect its patrons from any further potential harm)

MP Margaret Mullane - CONTACTED ✅️ (to raise the case the organisation is putting any of her constituents in the building at unnecessary risk of potential harm by opening their doors to the public)

MP Andrew Rosindell - CONTACTED ✅️ (to raise the case the organisation is putting any of his constituents in the building at unnecessary risk of potential harm by opening their doors to the public)

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JUSTICE AND TRUTH, TO THE FAMILY OF THE DECEASED WILL BE FOUND. 

          ACTION     |     REFORM     |    CHANGE

                        #justiceforthegentleman