Family fundraiser in aid of lifesavers
WICKLOW RAPID RESPONSE SAVED LITTLE ALISON (2) EARLIER THIS YEAR
A GREYSTONES family is holding a fundraiser for Wicklow Rapid Response after they saved the life of two-year-old Alison Slater.
Earlier this year, Alison suffered a serious anaphylactic reaction. Wicklow Rapid Response ( WWRR) was in the Greystones area and immediately tasked by the National Ambulance Service to attend to her. The WWRR doctor was able to administer vital treatment and medications to Alison prior to the arrival of the ambulance and also accompanied Alison to Crumlin hospital in the ambulance to continue her treatment.
It was on Valentine’s Day this year that the two-year-old Alison almost lost her life, when an extreme allergic reaction triggered a shutdown of her system that, mercifully, was stabilised by Wicklow Rapid Response’s Dr David Menzies. The fact that it took the ambulance a long time to arrive meant that, without Dr Menzies and the WWRR volunteer group, Alison wouldn’t be here today.
Although Alison had received her epi-pen on time, her body continued to swell. She was having difficulty breathing and was in great distress.
It by sheer coincidence that Dr Menzies happened to be so close and made his way straight to Alison’s side.
The little girl’s parents were aware that she suffered allergies but had no idea the reaction could be so severe that it would be life-threatening.
‘ The good doctor that saved my little girl volunteers 140 hours a week on top of his day job as a consultant in emergency medicine in St Vincent’s,’ said Alison’s mum, Ruth Kidney. ‘Certainly Ali would not be here today without the WWRR.
As a way of saying ‘ thank you’ to Wicklow Rapid Response, Alison’s parents, Ruth and Ben, have organised a fundraising gig at The Hot Spot on Friday, November 10, with Gypsy Lacey providing the music, with great raffle prizes up for grabs on the night too. Anyone who can’t attend but would like to support the venture is urged to buy a ticket anyway or to donate directly to Wicklow Rapid Response.
‘So I tried saying thanks, but honestly that seemed a bit lame,’ said Ruth. ‘A dinner voucher doesn’t really cut saving my daughter’s life. So myself and my husband organised a trad gig.’
WWRR provides advanced pre-hospital emergency medical care to the people of Wicklow and beyond in association with the National Ambulance Service. Their costs include insurance, equipment and medication.
Tickets for ‘Alison - One More Life Saved’ cost €15 and are available at eventbrite.ie. THE Ashford and District Beekeepers’ Association are holding an ‘Introduction to Beekeeping’ evening on Wednesday, November 15, at 8 p.m.. It will be held in the Ashford Heritage Centre and Beemaster Keith Pierce will be the guest speaker.