Users of a popular exercise venue in downtown Raglan can now breathe a little easier in the knowledge that help’s right at hand if there’s an accident or emergency.
A defibrillator that can be accessed around the clock has been installed at the entrance to St Peter’s Anglican Church Hall, which has a flow of people to-ing and fro-ing almost daily.
The hall, on Bow St, is not only used for church activities but is also the base for Freedom2Fly circus classes, and the long-running Raglan Light Exercise Group.
Representatives of the three groups asked the Raglan Community Charitable Trust to fund and have the first aid device installed.
While the next closest defibrillator with 24-hour access is just down the road – at Raglan Club – this additional one could make the difference “when minutes count”, Trust chairman Peter Storey told the Chronicle.
Peter’s installed seven or eight defibrillators at schools and other crucial spots in the district over the past few years. Each one costs the Trust about $3000, he says, and is serviced annually by Heart Saver NZ Ltd for $200.
The Trust’s other work in supporting the health and wellbeing of Raglan residents includes funding the training and annual refresher courses for PRIME practitioners, and giving grants to emergency services like the Coastguard and the Surf Life Saving Club.
“We have also funded the annual community Christmas lunches and fundraised for the New Year’s Eve fireworks display,” Peter adds.
Meantime, Raglan Light Exercise Group – which meets in the church hall Monday and Thursday mornings – is “over the moon” at finally having a defibrillator close at hand.
Secretary/treasurer Graham Hubert says it’s reassuring for the large group of over-50s, many of them now in the 75-80 age bracket and some into their 90s.
He’s proud to say the popular exercise sessions have been running continuously – bar a forced closure of several weeks because of the Covid-19 national lockdown – since starting back in 1995 under the guidance of Sport Waikato and local medical professionals.
“We have a sound health and safety policy, and maintain our equipment to a high standard,” he points out.
Two new treadmills courtesy of the Meridian Te Uku Power Up Community Fund were added this month to the group’s impressive collection of exercycles and rowing machines which are all part of the “light” workouts designed to prevent falls in older people.
