Twenty-six volunteers have teamed up to become the first Community First Responders group for Kilmacrennan, Churchill, Gartan, Termon and Trentagh.
The villages, all outside the Letterkenny area, have many isolated areas which can take time to reach by ambulance.
Every minute matters in a health emergency, and trained Community First Responders aim to preserve life by responding to potentially life-threatening emergencies before the arrival of an ambulance crew.
Volunteers are undergoing weekly training with Damien O Connell to be ready to respond to calls for cardiac arrest, choking, adult chest pain and stroke calls.
Chairperson Sarah McGinley said: “Due to the success of other CFR groups in Donegal, we anticipate the volunteer service will help preserve life, meeting the needs of members of the community that require emergency services intervention.”
Kilmacrennan, Churchill, Gartan, Termon and Trentagh Community First Responders at Thursday’s training session. Photo: NW Newspix
Kilmacrennan, Churchill, Gartan, Termon and Trentagh Community First Responders at Thursday’s training session
Kilmacrennan, Churchill, Gartan, Termon and Trentagh Community First Responders at Thursday’s training session. Photo: NW Newspix
Fundraising co-ordinator Claire Mc Daid said: “We’ve successfully raised funds and coordinated highly successful charity gatherings, including the Santa Experience at Glenveagh Castle in December 2023, a breakfast brunch in Wilkins Churchill and a pub quiz night in Nora’s Bar Kilmacrennan. Local businessmen and councillors have also lent us their support, which we greatly appreciate.
“The funds raised will allow us to purchase AEDs for our locality and these will be strategically situated in areas without an AED. We were able to buy a small quantity of equipment to help us initiate the training process. Once we are at an approved level to go live, we will require responder bags, which will carry an AED and other equipment required.”
The Big Breakfast on St Patrick’s Day at Wilkins Bar
Kilmacrennan, Churchill, Gartan, Termon and Trentagh Community First Responders at Thursday’s training session. Photo: NW Newspix
The Kilmacrennan Termon Gartan Churchill Trentagh CFR Group was chosen as one of the benefactors of this year’s Northwest 10k.
Claire said: “We have a number of fundraising events organised over the coming months to raise some much needed funds to get this service up and functional as quickly as possible.
“There will be some bucket collections within the localities alongside a Coffee Morning being held at The Craoibhin Community Enterprise Centre in Termon on the 7th April between 12-4.
“During the event, attendees can enjoy coffee, tea, and some sweet treats. There will be demonstrations on CPR, defibrillation, and infant choking alongside some other unexpected surprises.
“We would like to take this opportunity as a group to thank everyone who has helped us out this far in our efforts to get the group up and running. Including The Craoibhin Community Enterprise Centre, Termon, Co Donegal, who have kindly offered their facilities free of charge due to the voluntary effort that will benefit the community.”
All are welcome to the fundraising coffee morning at The Craoibhin Community Enterprise Centre in Termon on 7th April between 12-4. See more details below: