The Microgaming Health & Care Trust (www.microgamingtrust.im) is supplying an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to every Isle of Man Golf Union affiliated golf club on the island.
The project to supply life-saving equipment to eight golf clubs on the island was inspired by a campaign launched by golfing legend Bernard Gallacher in 2013. The Bernard Gallacher Defibrillator Campaign was introduced after Bernard suffered a sudden cardiac arrest at a golf club function in August of last year. Bernard claims that it is thanks to such prompt treatment through CPR and shocks from an AED that he regained consciousness and went on to make a full recovery.
Inspired by Bernard’s campaign, where he hopes for every golf club in the UK to have at least one public-access defibrillator by the end of 2014, the Isle of Man Golf Union applied to the Microgaming Health & Care Trust for support.
Roy Moore, President of the Isle of Man Golf Union, comments: “Hearing Bernard Gallacher’s story was what inspired the Golf Union to pursue this AED project. Whilst we hope that a situation of this nature never arises, it made us realise how important it was to have a defibrillator onsite at each club on the island, should it ever be required. On behalf of everyone in the Union and all the players within the clubs, I’d like to thank the Microgaming Health & Care Trust for their support and funding of this project.”
Now, eight local golf clubs in Castletown, Douglas, King Edward (Onchan), Mount Murray, Peel, Port St. Mary, Ramsey and Rowany Golf Club have a defibrillator onsite. Staff members from every club have been on AED training courses, kindly provided by Paul Ellis, Lead Resuscitation Officer and his team at Noble’s Hospital, to provide them with potentially life-saving skills.
Dr. Roy Clague, Trustee of the Microgaming Health Care & Trust, comments: “Early intervention is critical when an individual suffers sudden cardiac arrest, therefore we are delighted to be able to provide this potentially life-saving equipment to the golf clubs on the island. Supplying the equipment is one part, but it is essential that the clubs are trained on how to use this apparatus properly and safely. We are very grateful to Paul Ellis, Lead Resuscitation Officer from Noble’s Hospital for putting these vital training sessions on.”
At the same time, the Microgaming Health & Care Trust has also purchased AED’s for Peel Cathedral and Castletown Bowling Club after receiving two separate applications. The Microgaming Health & Care Trust is no stranger to supporting such projects; the Trust embarked on its biggest ever initiative when it supplied over 20 defibrillators to a variety of businesses and locations across the island back in 2007.
For more information on the Microgaming Health & Care Trust or to make an application, please visit www.microgamingtrust.im.
Photo: Golf club members, with Castletown Bowling Club and Peel Cathedral, alongside Roy Moore, President of the Isle of Man Golf Union, Dr. Roy Clague, Trustee of the Microgaming Health Care & Trust and Paul Ellis, Lead Resuscitation Officer from Noble’s Hospital (front row).
