Henderson’s to install defibrillators at stores
The Henderson’s Group is to install defibrillators outside 300 of its stores, creating the largest external network of the life-saving devices in Northern Ireland.
The Mallusk-based group said their SPAR, EUROSPAR and VIVO branded outlets had signed up to the campaign to install AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators), while the plan has attracted support from Dr Michael McBride, Northern Ireland’s chief medical officer.
The devices will be installed and available for public throughout 2016, the group said.
Community and store fundraising will take place at each outlet to help fund the devices, with a target of £1,500 to purchase the product, its temperature controlled cabinet, and installation.
Some 1,400 cardiac arrests occur each year in Northern Ireland outside of hospitals.
Henderson Group’s Bronagh Luke, who has founded the campaign with her colleagues, says the initiative is essential for every community to get involved in.
“At the heart of our business we are passionate about local,” she said. “We hope that every local community will get behind their store’s fundraising campaign and ensure more life-saving devices are on hand, and we encourage retailers and communities to educate themselves with lifesaving practices should an unfortunate incident occur in their area.
“We will have an education campaign running alongside the fundraising campaigns both digitally via specially produced ‘how to use’ videos, and with printed, practical information readily available in store.
“We know it is not enough to only have the devices in situ, education on community resuscitation and defibrillator usage is a priority.”
Dr McBride said the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) commended the group for the initiative.
“The addition of these external, public access defibrillators to our network of life savers across Northern Ireland is very welcome,” he said. “The DHSSPS launched the Community Resuscitation Strategy in 2014, with the aim of improving the survival rate for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. This campaign complements the strategy and we hope that more lives can be saved in the future.”
Henderson’s is also working with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) to map the devices’ whereabouts.
Members of the public can find at www.heartofourcommunityni.com and can follow the conversation on social media via the #DefibDonate hashtag.
Pictured is chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride, who has given his support to the campaign, with Henderson Group’s head of corporate marketing Bronagh Luke and sales & marketing director Paddy Doody.
