Ballymena Causeway Credit Union (BCCU) are delighted to have recently received funding for the installation of life-saving defibrillators at both the organisation's town centre offices.
The organisation, ever at the heart of community, was awarded £5,640 by The National Lottery enabling BCCU to have the devices installed at William Street in Ballymena, and Abbey Street, Coleraine.
The importance of conveniently located defibrillators has been highlighted much in recent years, and locally, this latest installation is a welcome addition to the ever-growing network of lifesaving devices in Ballymena town centre. There are now upward of 10 devices in the town, including four that have been acquired with the help of Ballymena BID.
It is understood that one of these devices, located near Broadway, has been used at least four times since it was installed in February this year. And the evidence is clear - the quicker CPR and defibrillation are started, the higher the chances of survival. For every minute that someone is in cardiac arrest without receiving CPR and having a defibrillator used on them, their chance of survival decreases by 10%.
Commenting following the installation of this latest device in Ballymena, a spokesperson for Ballymena Causeway Credit Union said:
"We are thrilled to announce that Ballymena Causeway Credit Union has received funding from the National Lottery for a life-saving defibrillator!
"Thanks to this generous support, we now have a defibrillator on-site at both our offices in Ballymena and Coleraine, ready to provide immediate assistance in the event of a cardiac emergency.
"This funding from the National Lottery is a testament to their commitment to community well-being and our shared goal of creating safer environments for everyone.
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the National Lottery for their support and belief in our mission. This defibrillator will not only benefit our members but also the wider community, ensuring that we are better prepared to respond to critical situations."
The spokesperson added:
"At Ballymena Causeway Credit Union, we are dedicated to the well-being of our members and the community we serve. This defibrillator is a tangible representation of our commitment to your safety and peace of mind.
"We hope that this device brings comfort and reassurance to all who visit our credit union. Together, we can make a difference and create a safer community for everyone."
Emma McCrea, Manager at Ballymena BID commented:
"HUGE 'thank you' and 'well done' to the team at Ballymena Causeway Credit Union for securing funding to instal another external defibrillator within the town centre.
"As always, the team at the credit union are thinking about the wellbeing of our local community and visitors, and their thoughtfulness never goes unnoticed."
Automated External Defibrillator (AED) devices are located at the following locations, among others, within Ballymena town centre:
• Ballymena Central Library, Pat's Brae
• Tower Centre Ballymena
• Wallace (BID), Wellington Street
• Progressive Building Society, Wellington Street
• Church Street (External AED outside old Bank of Ireland building (BID)
• Front Page Bar (BID), Ballymoney Street
• Cameron’s (BID), Broughshane Street
• Credit Union, William Street
• Fairhill Shopping Centre