CORRIMAL Junior Rugby League Football Club and the Rotary Club of Corrimal have shared in funding from the NSW Government for new potentially life-saving defibrillators.

The funding was awarded to 193 sport and recreation organisations under the NSW Government’s $500,000 Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program which provides up to $3,000 for the purchase, installation and training in new automated external defibrillators.

The announcement earlier this week brings the number of devices awarded since the program commenced to more than 2,500.

Professor Jamie Vandenberg, Co-deputy Director of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, said around 10,000 people across the state suffer a cardiac arrest outside of hospital each year, and currently the vast majority will die.

“Being able to access a defibrillator in those crucial first minutes can make all the difference, so it’s incredibly heartening to see that almost 200 sporting clubs will now be able to purchase and install these lifesaving devices,” Professor Vandenberg said.

State MP for Keira, Ryan Park said sport and active recreation is a massive part of life for many families across the Illawarra so it’s important that facilities are equipped with these potentially life-saving devices.

“Well done to both Corrimal JRLFC and Corrimal Rotary Club for once again putting the safety and wellbeing of our community first,” Mr Park said.

NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said the Local Sport Defibrillator Program equips sports clubs to be able respond to potentially life-threatening emergencies at their sports facilities.

“And with the first few minutes following an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest critical, the NSW Government is ensuring people participating in sport and active have access to this potentially life-saving equipment,” Mr Kemp said.

“This investment by the NSW Government has the potential to mean the difference between life and death.”

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