Lucan Echo
Thursday 8 November 2012
Towers recycle cash for new defibrillator
Club’s fundraiser follows tragic loss of young player Ciaran Carr
By Anne Sharkey
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Round Tower GAA Club has successfully raised enough funds to buy a new defibrillator for the club – through the collection of recycled goods from the surrounding community.
The Clondalkin Club tragically lost one of its members, 20 year old Ciaran Carr, to Sudden Adult Death Syndrome on January 20 of this year.
Speaking to the Echo, Sally Gilligan, a volunteer with the club, told of the importance of having the device close at hand.
“It is the fourth one we have bought but the first portable one which will be used by the juvenile section to take to matches.
It is also the first one we have bought using the funds we raised through the donation of recycled goods to the club. When we lost young Ciaran last year to sudden death, we knew there was nothing, we could have done. It’s good to have this new defibrillator on board.”
The collection of recycled goods was a community initiative which brought the surrounding areas together in a push to support the local club.
“We have had volunteers from throughout Clondalkin and Bawnogue collecting clothes and other goods for the club. The Age Active group who make them tea and coffee every Tuesday morning here at the club have also been an enormous help bringing in their own spare clothes and items.
With the help of her fellow volunteer, Carol Crane, Sally would like to encourage everyone in the community to keep up the good work and generosity for this very necessary cause.
“The support has been brilliant and will hopefully keeps coming. It costs €600 to service a defibrillator and there further costs for the storage of one to keep it safe,” said Sally.
The other defibrillators are based in the Monastery Road clubhouse for use of the senior players.
“We have also used the money from recycled goods for the purchase of a first aid mannequin which will allow us to provide beside training to all club members,” added Sally.