Defibrillator campaign launched
A FUNDRAISING campaign has been launched to install lifesaving equipment outside Carmarthen’s 10-pin bowling alley.
The aim is to raise approximately £1,500 to buy the defibrillator which will be located outside Xcel Bowl in Llansteffan Road, Johnstown.
Carl Jones, host team leader at the bowling alley, said: “It will be the first defibrillator in the area that can be accessed 24 hours a day.
“There are others in Johnstown but they cannot be reached at all times so we decided to start a fundraising campaign for one at Xcel Bowl.
“We will be placing it outside the fence for the community to get at at all times. It is something I am passionate about getting due to having two cardiac arrests myself previously.
“Having a 24-hour accessible defibrillator outside the bowling alley is ideal, it’s a place where a large number of people from all areas of the
local community and beyond visit.
“Having a public defibrillator will prepare for any cardiac emergencies that may occur on site, along with similar emergencies in the surrounding area.”
A Justgiving page has been launched and a range of fundraising events are being planned including a 12-hour bowl-a-thon on Saturday, April 30, from 9am to 9pm.
Pupils at one Carmarthen primary school have already handed over a donation towards the defibrillator fund.
Model Primary School has recently raised money for its own defibrillator and kindly donated £100 to the Xcel Bowl effort.
The school’s assistant headteacher Jo Davies said: “As a school we walked the distance of Land’s End to John o’groats which is 874 miles.
“So every year group was involved in doing it around the school grounds.
“Following our own fundraising success the children all agreed that it was important that we support our local community and so the school council decided on helping Xcel Bowl to get its defibrillator.”
The Xcel Bowl defibrillator Justgiving page can be found at www.just giving.com/crowdfunding/xceldefib