A ROCK and Blues Club which provides frequent entertainment in Bangor is raising money to install a defibrillator outside the Imperial Bar in the city centre.
Bangor Rock and Blues Club’s fundraiser aims to install a defibrillator outside the Imperial Bar, in Central Avenue, after an incident during an event last year raised more awareness of sudden cardiac arrests.
The club has so far £200 raised online through a Just Giving page and also £400 collected through charity buckets in the Imperial Bar.
Club officials say they want to provide vital equipment which can save lives in the area and contacted the Spectator after seeing a recent article which showed that Ards and North Down currently has the lowest number of defibrillators in Northern Ireland.
The club, which has previously raised money for a local hospice, an independent respite care clinic and EXTERN, a charity supporting young people aged 11-25, is now focused on ensuring a defibrillator is readily available on the street for anyone in need.
Allen Higginson, from Bangor Rock and Blues Club said: “I set up Bangor Rock and Blues Club about three years ago for a certain demographic age-wise and twice a year we try to raise some money for local charities.”
Reflecting on a close call last year, Allen continued: “Last year in October, a guy collapsed downstairs. It was a coronary incident and we had to run up Main Street to get a defib to help him. After that, we had a joke and said ‘going by the average age of the punters in here it’s probably handy to have one a bit closer’.”
Allen said it was important a defibrillator was on hand in the immediate area to ensure if anything ever happened like that again, they could offer immediate assistance.
“That’s why we’ve decided to go for the defib and we want to get it installed outside the bar on the wall in the street” he said. “There’s three churches down there and also a residential area, and the more defibs there are in the area, the better. You can’t ever have enough of them.”
Allen continued: “Defibs don’t require training to use, you can’t accidentally shock anybody when using them because the machine will detect whether your heart is in fibrillation or not.”
Once the funds for the first defibrillator are raised, the club plans to fundraise for a second one to be installed on High Street.
Allen added: “We decided that after we raise enough money for this one we’ll begin raising money for another one on High Street.”
John Maguire is a member of the club who moved to Bangor two years ago and quickly became involved in the music scene.
“Often when these things get brought up with local councillors or MLAs. They’ll sit and talk about it and they’ll have a committee and then a committee to go over that committee and it will go on for months so it’s better just doing it yourself, but if it saves one life, it’s worth it.”
Allen said the fundraiser had also been supported by local politicians, saying: “Alex Easton has been a good help and he has helped to share our page online.
“The goal is to raise £2,000, enough to purchase a defibrillator suitable for both children and adults, as heart problems can affect people of all ages. The cost also covers installation. Any funds raised beyond this target will be donated to a local food bank or another charity or put toward a second defibrillator for High Street.
Bangor Rock and Blues Club said it will be continuing to provide more entertainment throughout the year with another bash planned this April
Allen said: “The events suit us very much and as I said, they’re perfect for a certain demographic because they start at about 4.30pm and go on to 7pm so you can get home in time for Match of the Day.”
John also highlighted the club’s diverse musical events, saying: “We try and keep the events and music mixed up and so far it’s been a great success and we’ve sold out every event we’ve had on.”
Anyone wanting to make a donation to aid the club in getting a defibrillator can visit their page on Just Giving at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/brabc
