The Isle of Man Hyperbaric Chamber was chosen by Douglas-based ICM Group as one of its key charities for 2013. Members of the ICM Charitable Trust (registered charity 1093) organised for a representative from the charity, Dean Cooke, to meet staff and tell them more about how the facility is used and how it is funded.
The Hyperbaric Chamber is operated by the Kevin Gray Memorial Trust and was opened in 1984 to provide emergency recompression for divers in the Irish sea area, following the death of local commercial diver, Kevin Gray.
It comprises of two multiplace chambers with equipment for the provision of intensive care, utilising mixed gases and saturation treatments.
Dean Cooke explained to ICM staff that the facility can also be used for training and educational programmes in the application and provision of hyperbaric medicine. He explained that many different people benefit from the facility:
‘As well as divers, the Chamber can be used to treat such conditions as MS and strokes and also aid post-accident recovery. We have seen some amazing recoveries from quite serious injuries or ailments. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment has been in use for hundreds of years but is being increasingly recognised as a cost-effective treatment for all kinds of medical problems. This means of course that we are getting busier and busier which does put a strain on resources. The facility is entirely run by volunteers and we are fundraising all the time. Although we are supported by the Department of Health, we still have to raise at least ?50,000 every year. It costs us ?1,000 a week just to stay open.’
Chris Allix, director of the ICM Group, and Vishakha Dharmadhikari of the ICM Charitable Trust committee, presented Dean with a cheque for ?2,970.23 which will be used specifically to buy children’s equipment.
Chris told Dean that ICM was delighted to be able to help support the Chamber:
‘As a doting father and grandfather I feel strongly about supporting the Hyperbaric Chamber in their attempt to improve facilities for children. It is an incredibly important and potentially life-saving facility that we are lucky to have on the Isle of Man. It is only through the hard work of Dean and all of the other volunteers at the Chamber that this facility has managed to stay open. Although our donation is a drop in the ocean we are pleased to have helped purchase some essential equipment that will make a difference to children in years to come.’
Dean accepted the donation and thanked Chris and the ICM Charitable Trust for their generosity. The ICM Charitable Trust was set up in order to support Manx based charities working specifically with or for children.
Photo - Chris Allix presents the cheque to Dean Cooke.
