A Derry-based community cycle group is now benefitting from a brand new 'rescue rucksack' defibrillator' thanks to the generosity of a local business.
The Bogside and Brandywell Health Forum's (BBHF) cycle group, which runs every Saturday, was enabled to buy life-saving equipment through a grant funded by Power NI.
The Automated External Defibrillator (AED), which is used to jump-start hearts following cardiac arrest, was handed over by Aoife Magennis from Power NI to Bogside and Brandywell Health Forum's Georgie Harkin.
The community-based health forum offers a holistic approach to health and wellbeing in the community, schools and in workplaces.
It aims to support and help local people of all ages to live a healthy lifestyle and connect with each other as well as providing an extensive range of programmes focussing on physical and mental health, smoking and nutrition.
The weekly cycle sessions attract local participants of all ages who join together for both exercise and a social get-together to build up friendships and improve their personal physical and mental well-being.
Majella Quigley, from BBHF, said the portable equipment was something the group could not afford before being offered the grant.
She added: “Our cycling sessions cater for all abilities and participants and are led by two facilitators at each outing. We wanted to secure a defibrillator that could be carried by a leader on his or her back during their cycle journeys.
“Hopefully we will never have to use it, but if we do, our new portable defibrillator will be a lifeline and our trained facilitators will be on hand to administer the critical first response and potentially save a life.
“The Forum would very much like to thank Power NI for awarding us this funding grant. Purchasing a defibrillator is something we could not have afforded and we are truly grateful to Power NI’s Brighter Communities programme.”
Meanwhile, Ashleigh O’Neill from Power NI said the forum’s cycling initiative was a fantastic community support programme.
She added: "They're helping people to ‘mind’ both their head and their bodies. It will be comforting for group members to know that they have a portable defibrillator close at hand should it ever be needed in an emergency.”
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