A potentially lifesaving donation to Age Concern South Canterbury is set to give the organisation additional peace of mind during its activities and bus trips.
At last week’s Friday Social Club, Altrusa International of Timaru presented the organisation with a portable automated external defibrillator [AED] and a new upright freezer.
The funds to buy them had been raised through Altrusa’s Fabric and Craft Fair held in May.
Altrusa International of Timaru president Jenette Borrell said it was great to be able to support organisations like Age Concern South Canterbury.
‘‘Cathie [Weith] had inside information and made the suggestion and then the members voted that Age Concern would be the recipient this year from the funds.
‘‘We’ve been doing [the Fabric and Craft Fair] now for over 10 years and every year the proceeds go towards a different organisation or project.
‘‘It’s part of our ethos — our tagline is working towards better communities and for over 50 years now we’ve been doing that in Timaru.’’
She said it was great to have also been able to donate a freezer on top of the portable AED.
‘‘The first quote that came in would have used most of the funds and then [Age Concern South Canterbury manager] Chris [Thomas] approached a different organisation and that quote was much more reasonable.
‘‘It was down to Chris’s quick thinking and saying ‘oh, there will be enough money left over for a freezer’ and we were happy to agree with that.’’
She said the freezer and the AED cost a little over $3000.
Age Concern South Canterbury manager Chris Thomas said his organisation greatly appreciated the donation
‘‘Every month we go somewhere for a trip. When I started it was one busload and now it’s four.
‘‘It’s a vulnerable group so having an AED just gives us a bit more reassurance that if something did happen we are in a good position to sort it.
‘‘We have used one before. We had to borrow one and unfortunately the person passed away, so it’s not without precedence.
‘‘Having Altrusa donate the funds for it really helps us do the work we do.’’
He said the activities Age Concern South Canterbury provided were crucial.
‘‘One of the biggest issues in the community for older people is loneliness and isolation. It’s a very hidden thing that people don’t talk about. Nobody wants to admit they are lonely.
‘‘Having activities like Friday Club and our monthly bus trips and things are so important to people to overcome that loneliness. Developing those friendships and social connections are so important.’’
Friday Social Club co-rdinator Sue Harrex said the new freezer would be extremely useful for the organisation.
‘‘Our other freezer was quite old. It was a chest freezer and it really just wasn’t fit for purpose any more.
‘‘It’s not just a new freezer to us, it’s amazing, absolutely brilliant and it being upright means we can see what we’ve got and it can fit a lot more.’’
Mrs Borrell said the club would now be turning its attention to other projects such as swimming scholarships, delivering its third lot of pencil case donations to local schools, assisting with the multiple sclerosis garden walk, serving afternoon tea at the South Canterbury Hospice, planning a literacy project with Women’s Refuge and assisting with the refurbishment of the mental health services centre in Craigie Ave.
