Fundraiser trying to remedy town’s heart trouble

Fundraiser extraordinaire Anne Lavery has already raised enough money to pay for defibrillators for Tannaghmore Primary School and St Anthony’s Primary School.

Thanks to the generosity of visitors to her haunted house in Belvedere at Halloween she’s been able to buy a defibrillator to be placed in the new YMCA building in Carnegie Street.

Defibrillators are used to administer life-saving treatment to people suffering from heart conditions.

Anne said: “Craigavon is a designated heart ward - this is not a good thing. Instances of heart related illness in this area are very high.

“The plan is to try and make Lurgan as heart friendly as we can.”

Anne started raising money for heart charities in 2008 in memory of her dad Sean Maguire who died of a heart attack in 2007.

Anne thanked Harberry Training and in particular Eric Wilson for helping with the first aid training in relation to the defibrillators.

Of the machines, Anne said: “When you turn the machine on it talks you through - you don’t need formal training.”

Anne’s next fundraising event will be a dance wars competition for local performers and dance troupes. For more information contact Anne on 0789 087 3228.