Culfadda First Responders group benefits from Rural Action Award
CULFADDA Community First Responders Group are celebrating after being chosen as a recipient of the Rural Action Awards Scheme. The group of 20 dedicated local volunteers works with the National Ambulance Service to provide essential emergency care within an 8km radius of Culfadda National School.
They received an award from the Rural Action Award Scheme to purchase road signs highlighting the location of Defibrillators within this highly rural community.
Speaking about the service provided by the group, Rosaleen Walsh explained, ‘We are a voluntary group linked with the National Ambulance Service and our team members undergo training every 4-6 weeks. Our primary purpose is to respond quickly to 999 calls made from the area and to administer emergency care until the Ambulance Service
GARDAI in Mayo investigating the disappearance and murder of Sandra Collins from Killala 23 years ago this week are renewing their appeal to the public for information.
Sandra Collins was last sighted on the night of Monday, 4th December 2000 at approximately 11pm in the Country Kitchen premises on George’s Street, Killala, Co. Mayo. Sandra was 28 years old at the time of her disappearance.
The search for Sandra has continued over the past 23 years and arrives.’
‘We have 12 accessible Defibrillators for use, and we wanted to make the locations of all these defibs as visible as possible to both the local community and visitors. We were delighted to receive the Rural Action Award to purchase road signs to allow this to happen.’ The Rural Action Awards scheme is run by Rural Action and is open to rural community-based organisations in Northern Ireland, or the border region of Ireland and offers the chance of securing £1000 or €1000 towards community projects. The scheme is currently open for applications where 3 further recipients will be randomly selected after the closing date of December 20, 2023. The scheme is open to constituted rural community-based organisations including charities, not for profit community groups, sporting and cultural organisations,
the investigation into her disappearance on December 4, 2000, remains active. An Garda Síochána continues to liaise closely with the Collins’ family in relation to this ongoing investigation. Gardaí thanked the public who have been of assistance in this investigation to date. An Garda Síochána and the Collins family are encouraging anyone who might have additional information, which perhaps they thought was insignificant at the time, to come forward. Gardaí are also heritage groups, Parent Teacher Associations, youth groups/clubs and social enterprises.
The scheme seeks to support practical, tangible and timebound projects where the project must complete within 12 weeks.
Teresa Canavan, Rural Action Chief Executive, explained, “We are delighted to support organisations such as the Culfadda Community First Responders Group. Our organisation strapline is ‘Making it Happen’ and this group certainly demonstrates that. We have another 3 Awards available, and recipients will be randomly selected after the closing date.’
“Groups wishing to enter must complete an online form available at www.ruralaction.co. The successful groups will then be contacted and following a simple verification process, can avail of the £1000/€1000 to use for their community project.
Renewed appeal for info following disappearance of woman 23 years ago
appealing to anyone whose circumstances may have changed over the subsequent 23 years and are now in a position to share relevant information with the investigation team. Anyone with information is asked to contact Ballina Garda Station on 096 20560, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
Anyone who contacts An Garda Síochána will be treated with confidentiality, compassion and sensitivity.