The Woori Yallock and District (WYD) Community Bank have donated and installed an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) at the Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater (FOHH) Indigenous Plant Nursery.
WYD Community Bank branch manager Justin Hall said he was glad to be able to make an impact in the local area.
“The Woori Yallock and District Bendigo Bank is proud to be getting this out to the community and it’s going to make a quite massive contribution to improving the survival rate, particularly of our more rural townships that aren’t always close by,” he said.
“Being able to support people in the worst moments of their life makes a huge difference, whether that is our local firies responding or just good Samaritans in the community.”
FOHH president Sue Bendel said an AED at the nursery was crucial.
“Having an AED is essential for all who work and volunteer at the nursery.
“Although the majority of the tasks are not very strenuous, many of our volunteers have been active in our nursery for over ten years, and so as older adults, having an AED in very close proximity is essential,” Ms Bendel said.
The new AED provided by the WYD Community Bank replaced the nursery’s previous one as it had expired.
Ms Bendel said the FOHH were grateful for the bank’s donation as it meant the nursery staff could perform their work in an environment where some medical emergencies can be accounted for.
“It is incredible that the Bendigo Bank has provided our nursery with a new AED, as our old one has passed its useful life.
“We are very fortunate to bank with a community bank, who are very community minded and have provided us with the AED. It is an essential piece of equipment in all workplaces, and especially for us due to the older demographic of our volunteers,” Ms Bendel said.
AEDs are intended for use by any person, but formal training can also help you to feel more confident and comfortable if you need to use an AED.