Munster stars in life-affirming visit to Coláiste Íde agus Iosef

THE Irish Heart Foundation’s first-ever CPR 4 Schools Special Recognition Award was presented to Coláiste Íde agus Iosef, Abbeyfeale, in recognition of the secondary school’s exceptional efforts in training its students in CPR.

Munster Rugby players Andrew Conway, Rhys Marshall and Sam Arnold, participated in a CPR demonstration with 1st year students before the Irish Heart Foundation presented the award to principle, Liam Murphy, and teacher, Diarmuid O’Connell (31), the school’s CPR 4 Schools coordinator, who suffered a cardiac arrest in 2009.

Laura Hickey Irish Heart Foundation, said: “We are delighted to award Coláiste Íde agus Iosef the first special recognition award, it’s school like this who will make a significant impact in creating the future generation of lifesavers.

“Schools are an ideal setting to reach all young people to help reduce the incidence of premature death and disability from heart disease and stroke which is Ireland’s number one killer. CPR is a lifesaving skill that everyone can learn, this programme is available to every post primary school in Ireland, equipping young people with the skills and confidence to perform this CPR. Coláiste Íde agus Iosef, have done tremendous work in creating awareness and taking the fear out of lifesaving.”

The innovative CPR 4 Schools programme aims to create a new generation of 360,000 CPR lifesavers in every community in Ireland by the end of 2019.

To date, 289 schools in every county across Ireland have been trained.

With over 700 students, Coláiste Íde agus Iosef was acknowledged for its efforts in creating the next generation of life-savers within the school and also in promoting this valuable skill in the wider community of Abbeyfeale.

The Irish Heart Foundation’s expert CPR 4 Schools team delivers training via education centres to post-primary teachers who are then provided with an online programme which can be taught effectively in the classroom.

In addition, the Irish Heart Foundation provides schools with free kits worth €600 which contain training manikins to encourage crucial hands-on practice.

Some of the scenes at Coláiste Íde agus Iosef in Abbeyfeale last week when Munster Rugby stars Rhys Marshall, Sam Arnold and Andrew Conway got a first class demonstration in the students’ mastery of life-saving CPR.