Rainbow Hub launches defibrillator fundraising appeal

Rainbow Hub is fundraising to provide life saving equipment to benefit their children and families, together with the local community in Mawdesley, where the charity is based, and increase the rate of survival in the event of a cardiac arrest.

The aim is for the defibrillator to be housed on the wall outside of the charity's premises so that it is readily available to all in the community and accessed by dialling 999.

Cardiac arrest is sudden and often without warning.  It can happen to anyone and every minute counts.  Greater than 50-70% of sudden cardiac arrests victims survive if defibrillation occurs within the first five minutes. This decreases by 10% for every minute that passes.

Rainbow Hub aim to raise £2,000 but if there are any monies left after the purchase of the defibrillator and installation, they will go towards the specialist services provided by the charity for children and young people with physical and neurological disabilities.

Lyndsay Fahey, CEO Rainbow Hub said, "The safety of the children and families attending Rainbow Hub is paramount and, given that many have complex health conditions, a defibrillator on site is a must for us.  

"We are hoping to receive donations towards the cost of the defib itself, as well as the cabinet and electrical hard wiring. This will mean it can be located on our external perimeter wall making it accessible to the local community and members of the public 24 hours a day."

Karen Macpherson, whose son Alex has benefited from the services at Rainbow Hub for several years, said, "We are delighted that Rainbow Hub is fundraising for this very important piece of equipment which is a proven life-saver and that it will be available for the local community as well as the children and families using the services at the charity. We hope that individuals and businesses in the area will support this initiative and donate generously."