The Guernsey and Alderney Freemasons donated a cheque for £10,000 to help support CAG’s initiative to grow the public access defibrillator sites network and ensure ongoing maintenance.
‘This is a vital donation,’ said the charity’s vice-chair and founder, Gerry Le Roy.
‘We haven’t got any money. We haven’t had any funding at all. We used to run free CPR training, but we can’t fund it any more, so we just look after the PAD sites now. And we desperately need funding. These machines don’t just save lives – they save the quality of lives. Fast action reduces the damage to the brain.’
CAG is a community-driven initiative that works to ensure that high-quality, fully operational PAD sites are available across the Bailiwick. There are currently 164 of the life-saving devices, stored in green boxes, positioned at various locations. Each requires regular maintenance and monitoring, which is carried out by its current 360 volunteers, known as ‘guardians’ – who are supported, trained and managed by the charity.
The defibrillator devices play a crucial role in protecting the community when sudden cardiac arrest occurs – something the charity’s chairman, Rick Denton, can testify from personal experience.
‘I joined the charity after I was saved by the use of a CAG defibrillator and somebody nearby who knew what they were doing,’ he said.
‘I had a cardiac arrest at Les Cotils in 2019. I was having a coffee and the next thing I knew, I woke up with people standing over me and emergency services arriving. I was resuscitated within two and a half minutes – and that means I’m still able to do things. This donation means so much to the charity. It saves lives, it’s very meaningful.’
At least 18 lives have been saved using a PAD site or community defibrillator since CAG’s involvement. Cardiac arrest is the most critical medical emergency, where every second counts. Survival rates decrease by 10% for each minute without defibrillation. But if an Automated External Defibrillator – stored inside each PAD box – is used quickly, the chance of survival may increase by up to 80%.
Presenting the significant cheque was Simon Hamon, deputy head of local freemasonry. ‘I’m delighted to be able to give this financial boost to such a worthy charity,’ he said.
‘We’ve seen the life-changing difference this can make in the chain of survival. If we can help make sure that these things are maintained, to make sure the public have access to them – that’s really important. Unfortunately, charities like CAG just get overlooked. We know all the big ones because they touch so many people’s lives, but actually – this saves them.’
Anyone keen to support the charity can email info@cag.org.gg.
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