The installation of a new Automated External Defibrillator at a store in the centre of Limavady means more potentially lifesaving equipment is now available in the local area.
SPAR Anderson Park’s in Co. Derry's new defibrillator has been installed thanks to fundraising efforts from the team alongside local businesses and their local shoppers.
The device means there are now four stores in Limavady with defibrillators installed, part of a network which has saved the lives of 19 people since installation began in 2016.
The life-saving equipment will be available for the community 24/7, thanks to it being installed on the outside of the store, provides essential access even when the store is not open.
Lisa Sherry, store manager at SPAR Anderson Park said: "It was a real community effort to get this device, and it’s something that is there for the whole community – we want our shoppers and our neighbours to take ownership of it.
"We had a lot of fun raising the money, from staff shaking buckets at the front of the shop, to the quiz sheets we made for our shoppers, and we are so grateful to our neighbours and other local businesses and suppliers for donating to our raffle.
"We are delighted to be able to bring such essential equipment to our local community. We are located in a small but busy retail park and surrounded by residential areas, so this is an essential bit of kit to have for our area, available 24/7.
"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."
As well as collection boxes at the tills throughout the year, the team at SPAR Limavady held a raffle back in October 2022 as a last minute burst of fundraising.
They created a hamper with more than £100 worth of products from the store, which was won by a shopper who kindly asked for it to be donated to the Limavady Community Development Initiative Foodbank.
Local businesses donated to the raffle, including the store’s in-store butcher Higgins and Son’s, potato supplier Victor Conn, plus Glenn’s Butchers, Icon Hair, Tanning and Beauty, The Wine Company, BG’s Chip Shop all donated vouchers. Berties Bakery, a local supplier to the store also donated a hamper.
Bronagh Luke, Head of Corporate Marketing at Henderson Group which owns SPAR in Northern Ireland, and who spearheaded the defibrillator campaign said: "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.
"In addition to the local devices that have been installed in recent weeks, there have been a further five fitted in February with five more due to be fitted in March, 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 19 lives have been saved thanks to our defibrillators, and we hope to see many more installed in the coming years."
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