CFR receive grant
Kilmacanogue CFRs application for a HSE National Lottery Grant reached fruition this month with a one off €6,000 award and this is wonderful recognition for their sterling work. The award also recognises the support from the community that KCFR received in getting the Kilmacanogue CFR area public access defibrillator (PAD) scheme up and running.
The HSE grant application is funded by the National Lottery and was made at the start of last summer with strict criteria and guidelines to be followed prior to the HSE considering applications from all around the country.
Group coordinator John Hopkins says the team must give a well-deserved special mention of thanks to their treasurer Brian Hayden and dedicated administrator Sharon Carey for insuring they received the total figure of €6,000 that was applied for and are indebted to the whole community for believing in the scheme and in the volunteers involved with the group.
When running courses and training with other CFR volunteers from different areas, the Kilmac CFR are often told that the community support they receive in golf classics, table quizzes, donations and sponsorship etc makes KCFR the envy of many CFR groups and PAD schemes so it is important that everyone knows how immensely grateful they are and thank you all very much.
All the teams volunteers have work, families and other commitments so it is a challenge to have a trained volunteer’s available 24/7 and as every second counts at the vital time, It is advisable for everyone to be aware of where your nearest PAD is and how it works. Anyone, who would like more information please contact the group by emailing Kilmacanoguecfr@gmail.com.
And would be delighted to help you in any way they can with training, PAD locations, advice etc. Also, please remember knowing your Eircode can help the emergency services find your location and response time, as shown in the Eircode advertisement naming Kilmac on TV Naturally, they would like more people to get involved, a few hours per week is all that is required and they operate a buddy system where two responders attend a call, you are never on your own and always with another experience volunteer, you decide the area you would like to cover and the hours that suit yourself. They are very grateful to all the original volunteers and fundraisers who finished their two-year commitment with the group last November and thanks to those of you who have signed up for another two years.
In the last two and a half years, the group have been involved in the installation and maintenance of 11 community defibrillators. KCFR have been dispatched by the National Ambulance Service to over 70 medical emergencies including Heart attacks, strokes and Cardiac Arrests since May 1, 2016. The group is always available with one to one, group, family and friends, Sport Clubs, CPR and AED training and it’s all free of charge so why not make it your new year resolution it’s never too late to try and save a life. the net and the glens were through to the quarters. The whole squad were superb.