GRANTS OPEN FOR LIFE-SAVING DEFIBRILLATORS

November 10, 2017

Local sports clubs in the Cootamundra electorate are being urged to apply for

co-funding for a defibrillator under the NSW Government’s new Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program.

Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke, said more than 2500 Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) will be rolled out across the state over the next four years. 

“We encourage local sporting clubs to take this opportunity to apply for a grant to help fund an AED - which can be the difference between life and death,” Ms Cooke said.

“The program will fund up to 50 per cent of the defibrillator cost, along with training and maintenance support.”

Minister for Sport, Stuart Ayres said the $4 million program will make sporting fields safer for thousands of players and spectators. 

“More than 33,000 Australians experience cardiac arrest every year, and the first eight minutes are critical to improving the likelihood of survival,” Mr Ayres said.

“Early access to CPR and defibrillation can influence survival rates by up to 75 percent”.

The scheme is targeting community sports clubs, but applications from licensed sporting clubs and sports organisations associated with schools, churches universities, and councils will also be considered. 

Applications close 20 December 2017. 

For more information visit: sport.nsw.gov.au/clubs/grants