Belmont 16s has donated $25,000 to local not-for profit organisation, Hunter Heart Safe.
The donation will go towards assisting seven community accessible Automated External Defibrillator (AED) machines throughout public spaces across Lake Macquarie.
Founder of Hunter Heart Safe, Dr Mark Miller addressed the importance of having AEDs located in areas without restriction.
“Cardiac arrest can happen anywhere, any time,” Mark said.
“While there are some AEDs that already established in places like Woolworths and Coles, these locations are not always open, therefore these devices are not always of assistance.”
Heavy consideration was taken in the process of the strategic placement of the defibrillator’s locations, ensuring that they are in spaces where people frequent in volume and where access by first responders might be delayed.
AED machines display easy to read instructions and are fitted with geo-tracking, should one be removed from its shield or case.
For this project Hunter Heart Safe teamed up with AED suppliers Heart of the Nation, founded by former original Wiggle, Greg Page.
Since moving on from being an active member of the Wiggles, Greg has dedicated his time to raising awareness about sudden cardiac arrest and the importance of the ‘Chain of Survival’ after his own cardiac experience in recent years.
“Heart of the Nation wishes to thank Belmont 16s and Hunter Heart Safe for working together on this great initiative that sees 7 community access AEDs (defibrillators) installed around the Lake Macquarie region,” Greg said.
“Having 24 hour, 7 days a week access to an AED, may mean the difference between life and death for someone, so to know that these devices will be available is a huge boom for the community.”
CEO of Belmont 16s, Scott Williams said that being apart of the community and giving back towards important needs and issues is a core part of Belmont 16s values.
“Belmont 16s have partnered with Hunter Heart Safe for many years believing strongly in their goal of making a difference in the lives of those who are affected by sudden cardiac arrest,” he said.
“If this donation changes the course for just one life, we will be immensely grateful.”
IMAGE | Former Wiggle, Greg Page with Belmont 16s CEO, Scott Williams.
