By Dominique Tassell
St Mark’s Anglican Parish has received a $2,500 grant through the Stronger Communities Programme, which they have used to purchase a defibrillator.
Parish Administrator, Madonna, said “the parish is very grateful to David Littleproud and the federal government for being a recipient of the grant”.
Madonna said that the defibrillator was something the parish wanted, but could not afford through parish finances. She said the grant was their “best hope of actually getting one”.
“The option for the grant is a great option. You never know whether you’re going to be successful or not, but you don’t know until you try. Some of the things that are on your wish list, that’s how (you get them). Not just for the churches, but so many community organisations.
“We are very grateful to have been successful and gotten our (defibrillator), because without the grant it would have been a long time probably before we did get one. It’s nice to know that we do have one.”
St John’s Ambulance Australia states that after suffering a cardiac arrest, patients who do not receive CPR or defibrillation have a five per cent survival rate. Every minute that a patient goes after cardiac arrest without defibrillation reduces their chances of survival by 10 per cent.
With CPR and defibrillation, survival rates increase by up to 70 per cent.
Maranoa MP David Littleproud said “this is great news for the Warwick community and the parishioners who are working hard behind the scenes to provide affordable facilities to the community”.
“The funding will support the purchase of a defibrillator kit for use by the many parish and community groups who utilise the facilities, as well as church services, baptisms, weddings and funerals held within the historically significant St Mark’s Church,” Mr Littleproud said.
“The kit may help save a life and will contribute to a vibrant and viable community in Warwick.
“Regional communities are the heart of this country and I want to make sure that small capital projects are funded and the community gets exactly what it needs.”
Round 6 of the Stronger Communities Programme has seen $150,000 in Federal Government funding made available to Maranoa community groups. 14 projects were funded across Maranoa in this round.
Project grants range from $2500 to $20,000 to help bolster rural communities.
St Mark’s Anglican Parish purchased the defibrillator through Accidental Health & Safety.
The parish will be running a training course for the defibrillator on 29 July at 10am for anyone in the community who wishes to come.
