Latest news with #EleanorMcMahon
CBC
3 days ago
- General
- CBC
Windsor hosts Ontario Bike Summit
The Ontario Bike Summit is being held this week in Windsor. CBC's Amy Dodge spoke with organizers Eleanor McMahon and Anneke Smit about why the city was chosen for such an event on cycling advocacy.
The Irish Sun
19-05-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
‘Good or bad, you're there to help' – Inside ‘crucial' lifesaving group that rush to rural emergencies before ambulance
A GROUP founded by a woman whose life was saved by CPR after she suffered a cardiac arrest has told how its volunteers are "crucial" in rural areas when an emergency takes place. Culfadda Community First Responders, located in Co Sligo, undergo rigorous training and attend local incidents of choking, stroke and cardiac arrest while an ambulance is on route 3 Multiple members of the group have delivered life-saving medical attention Credit: Collect 3 This fundraiser will help raise funds for life-saving services Credit: Collect And one volunteer said ambulances in rural areas can take a much longer time to arrive at the scene than they do in cities or busy towns. The group was founded by Rosaleen Walsh after Two women at the scene delivered CPR to Rosaleen for 27 minutes, saving her life and allowing her to return home to her young family. Speaking to The Irish Sun, Culfadda Community First Responder Eleanor McMahon stressed the importance of the service for the rural area. READ MORE IN HEALTH She told us: "We're not fortunate to live in a city where an ambulance is going to be there in five, 10 minutes. The quickest ambulance I think that has ever come was probably 12 or 13 minutes, and that was good going. "So it is crucial that we have people, and we do, we have quite a large group. We'd love to get the group larger so that we could cover a larger area. "We'd always have kind of three or four turning up to each call but it is important that we have access. "And the more defibs we have and the more awareness we have, the better we're able to serve the community. And it's as simple as that." MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN When a call is made to the emergency services the registered Community First Responders receive a text alert to their mobile phone. How to use a defibrillator - know what to do if someone has a cardiac arrest This details where the medical emergency has taken place and members will drop everything to get to the scene. Eleanor herself has performed CPR for 38 minutes alongside two other responders while waiting for an ambulance. If you only save one, you're still saving somebody". First Responder Eleanor McMahon Detailing what it is like to give life-saving CPR Eleanor told us: "The first time is very tough, especially if you're called out at night time. 'Your brain is going, 'could I have done that differently? Could I have driven quicker? Should I have been there?' You're always questioning, did you do everything right. "It's physically demanding to give CPR, it's very tough on the arms. The first time I had really bad pains for probably a week afterwards, when you were putting a massive pressure on." Opening up more on the importance of the work the group do Eleanor explained how they are a "friendly face" in a traumatic and distressing time. THERE TO HELP She explained: "It's one that I wouldn't give up for anything because whether it's a bad result or a good result, you're there for the family. "We're in the community. So the chances are you may not know them well, but you probably do know them. So there's that kind of friendly face as opposed to strangers with the ambulance coming in. "And then obviously, if you can obviously manage to save somebody, which we have done, it's a huge piece as well. So it's that satisfaction that good or bad, you're there to help somebody. "And that's all we want to do. We want to try and if you only save one, you're still saving somebody." FUNDRAISER SUPPORT A King of the Hill fundraiser in aid of the volunteer-led group is taking place later this summer to raise funds for the lifesaving group, which also oversees the maintenance of defibrillators in the area. One volunteer, who is a blacksmith by trade, has made signs that are now dotted across the area and point people to the defibrillators. Registrations are now open for the fundraiser - which includes a 10km run and 5km family walk on Keash Hill in Sligo - taking place on July 26. Runners travel from all over the country to take part in the event, with the proceeds this year going to the Culfadda Community First Responders. It is €15 to enter and the event gets underway at 7pm on the big day. Refreshments will be served after the race and medals will also be awarded. The run gets underway from Eastern Harp GAA grounds and finishes the White Hall Keash. 3 Rosaleen Walsh, pictured with her daughter Claire, set up the group after she was saved by CPR Credit: Collect
