East Meath responders need ongoing support
The East Meath Cardiac Response Unit urgently needs funding to continue the life-saving work they carry out in from the coastal towns of Bettystown and Laytown, as far as Grangerath in Drogheda.
The group has already raised funds for defibrillators in ten exterior locations in East Meath, and aims to have at least four in the Dublin Road area by next year.
However, recent fundraising efforts for the life-saving equipment have fallen flat, with doorto-door collections yielding little or no money.
“We are delighted that we have been able to raise funding for ten units so far, but it is hard work, and in general, we get a very poor response from the public, and these are the very people who might need our help someday,” says Jim Shields from the unit. “The units cost around €1,800, including the heated cabinet, but can prove priceless when it saves a life.” Defibrillation is a treatment for life-threatening cardiac episodes, such as a heart attack, cardiac arrest or a stroke. A defibrillator delivers a dose of electric current (often called a counter shock) to the heart. “As first responders, we are alerted at the same time as the paramedics, and provide first aid until they get there,” explains Jim, who raised funds for the first defibrillator in Bettystown Square in 2012. “We have eight volunteers in our unit, and we are on standby 24/7, even though we all have full-time jobs.”
There are now defibrillators at the entrance to Grangerath, the creches at Inse Bay and Donacarney, Alverno Heights, the Lime Kiln, and there are three more sites earmarked for the Dublin Road, along with two mobile patrols.
“We struggle to raise money, and recently had to abandon our bucket collection at Grangerath after collecting less than €100 in the whole estate, despite 600 calls there since 2012,” explains Jim.
“We organised a demo there too, as we placed a unit at the entrance, but only 11 people turned up. They’re not much use if no one can use them.” There was however a very successful training session held last week in Julianstown, when more members of the community there learned how to revive a patient.
“We are always on the look-out for more volunteers, especially from all communites, as there can sometimes be language barriers with patients,” adds Jim. “We can be contacted on the facebook page if you are interested in volunteering.”