The installation of a new, Automated External Defibrillator (AED) at a Cullybackey store means more potentially lifesaving equipment is now available in the local area.
SPAR Bridge Service Station on the Dreen Road is the location of the new defibrillator, which will be available for the community 24/7, thanks to it being installed on the outside of the store, providing essential access even when the store is not open.
It means there are now 16 SPAR and EUROSPAR stores in the Antrim and Ballymena area with defibrillators installed, including seven throughout Ballymena stores, two at the SPAR and ViVOXTRA in Broughshane, one at EUROSPAR Cullybackey, one at SPAR Kells, a device at SPAR Randalstown and three at stores in Antrim.
The team at the store fundraised with their shoppers to raise the money to have it installed as part of SPAR NI’s Heart of our Community campaign, an initiative to get Northern Ireland’s largest network of external defibrillators installed right in the heart of both urban and rural communities.
The new AED at SPAR Bridge Service Station, will be registered with The Circuit, the defibrillator network launched by the British Heart Foundation in partnership with the NHS, Microsoft and UK ambulance services, connecting every device to its local ambulance service and the public.
Elizabeth Moffett, Community Representative at SPAR Bridge Service Station explained:
“We are delighted to be able to bring such essential equipment to our local community. We are so grateful to our shoppers in helping us raise the funds to install the device, and while we hope it is never needed, we also hope it can serve to save a life should it be needed in the area.”
Bronagh Luke, Head of Corporate Marketing at Henderson Group which owns SPAR in Northern Ireland, and who spearheaded the defibrillator campaign added:
“These defibrillators are easy to use, and the first port of call should always be 999. The Ambulance Service will talk the user through everything from locating the device, to CPR and use of it.
“As well as these local devices in recent weeks, we also have 10 more being installed in the coming weeks, which will bring our total number of Automated External Defibrillators installed outside SPAR, EUROSPAR and ViVO branded stores in Northern Ireland to 275, providing a potential lifeline to those who may need it when an emergency happens.
“We know that 17 lives have been saved thanks to our defibrillators, and we hope to see many more installed in the coming years.”
For more on SPAR NI’s Heart of the Community campaign, visit spar-ni.co.uk/heart-of-our-community.