Newcastle Lions make donation to NI Children Hospice

When the news headlines told of the financial difficulties being experienced by the Northern Ireland Childrens Hospice John McDonagh of Newcastle Lions suggested to the group that this was a worthy cause to which they could donate some of the money raised by the group during their December collections. This was agreed at the February monthly meeting and on Thursday 29th February 2024 at their monthly coffee morning the Lions presented a cheque for £1,000 to Sarah Jewell from NI Hospice at the Burrendale Hotel. Representatives of the hotel were also at the presentation as the hotel kindly hosts the Lions meeting on the 2nd Tuesday evening of each month. The NI Childrens Hospice  supports babies, children and their families  with specialist nursing at home, supported breaks in the in patient unit, end of life care and family and bereavement support.

Photo taken by paper photographer on 29th February. 

Defibrillators: Man saved by AED highlights work of charities

Published:- 25 May 2023   https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-65699901 

Sean McLaughlin said he owes his life to the actions of first aiders

By Rory O'Reilly

BBC News NI health reporter

A man whose life was saved by a defibrillator has been highlighting the work of charities which ensure the devices are ready in an emergency.

Sean McLaughlin was taking part in a charity boxing fight in a community centre in Ardglass, County Down, in 2014 when he had a heart attack. Visiting the centre for the first time since the incident, Mr McLaughlin reflected on what happened that day. He said he owed his life to the quick actions of first aiders at the scene.

Mr McLaughlin also praised the availability of a defibrillator and the skills of a cardiac nurse who happened to be in a church next door."All I remember is saying to the referee: 'My arms won't work, I think I'm in the middle of a dream'," he said. "After that I woke up in the Royal [Victoria Hospital in Belfast]."

An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable life-saving device which gives the heart an electric shock when it has stopped beating, normally due to a sudden cardiac arrest.

According to the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS), there are more than 2,800 defibrillators registered on the circuit. But the devices and the safety boxes they are kept in can be expensive. The St John Ambulance service estimates they can cost between £800 and £2,000.

They also need to be maintained so they are ready to use in case of an emergency.

The Newcastle Lions manage 10 AEDs in County Down

The Newcastle Lions is one of a number of charities with designated guardians to look after the devices. The charity manages 10 AEDs in Newcastle, Castlewellan and Maghera.

Mr McLaughlin said the importance of the devices could not be overstated.

"If it hadn't been there, I wouldn't be here today, so it's very important that they are put everywhere," he said.

"It's a lifesaver. It's a piece of equipment that saves lives. Why should they not be out there?"

Emergency ready

The yellow cabinets which contain AEDs are locked and a code to open them is provided by NIAS when someone phones 999.

Charities such as the Lions inspect the defibrillators and ensure they are emergency ready.

They also order replacement parts such as batteries if they have been used, which can cost more than £100.

In some cases, when the team opens the cabinet the defibrillator is missing and they have to contact other agencies such as the police or ambulance service.

Frank McGreevy from the Lions explained how each defibrillator was checked to ensure it was in working condition. "Using the special code number, we open the cabinet and take out the defibrillator and then we check three things; Is the green light flashing? Are the life-saving sticky pads in the correct place and is the hygiene pack unused?" he said.

Defibrillators are not financed or installed by NIAS and if the device is not regularly inspected it cannot be offered to the public when requested for an emergency.

Resuscitation lead for NIAS Stephanie Leckey said that was why inspecting them was so important. "For us it's just reassuring to know that whenever the call is made with somebody in distress we're sending them to a defib that we know is emergency ready," she said.

"We have that assurance with these guardians."

In total there are 92 separate Lions groups across the island of Ireland.

Marian McGreevy, the future district governor for the Lions, said her ambition was to grow the organisation to more than 100 groups over the next five years.

Lions thank Regatta for defibrillator support.

On Thursday last, many people in  Newcastle's  Main  Street, would have been shocked to shocked to see an elderly visitor to the town collapsing. On hand was a person who knew how to use a defibrillator and aid was given to the person before an ambulance arrived.  To the best of our knowledge, the person is now in hospital receiving treatment. The defibrillator used was located at the front of  the  Regatta Store in the  Main  Street.

To get the defibrillator back to its emergency status, the battery, sticky pads, mouth covering  and hygiene pack will have to be replaced, at a cost of  approximately £130.00. Through the generosity of the Regatta store and a previous good word by its manger  Ms Amy Lewers, Regatta will once again pay the full amount to get the defibrillator back to emergency ready. This is not the first time this has happened but on at least two previous occasions, they met the bill. Newcastle Lions  Club would like to thank Regatta for helping to save a life, through there generosity. Newcastle Lions  manage ten defibrillators and only some of these are helped by local business ,when an emergency takes place. For the others, the Lions have to meet the full cost to keep the defibrillators ,emergency active. On  Friday 15th  March  Newcastle lions will hold a pub quiz in the Harbour  Inn to raise funds for  MY MY, the quiz starts at 9.00pm, if you can please support this worthwhile cause.

Photo: Ms Amy  Lewers Manager of  Newcastle  Regatta store with defibrillator outside her store