Member for Murray Austin Evans is encouraging sporting clubs in the region to apply for the Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program.
The NSW government commenced the program in 2017 to provide grants to community sport clubs for half the cost of purchase and maintenance of an Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).
Mr Evans said access to defibrillators in sporting clubs increases the chance of survival by up to 75 per cent for patients experiencing cardiac arrest.
“For many of our residents, access to a defibrillator could be the difference between life or death,” Mr Evans said.
Minister for Sport, Stuart Ayres said the Local Sport Defibrillator Program has assisted over 400 sporting organisations attain the life-saving technology during the first round of the programs scheduled four year duration.
“Across the state, the NSW government will aim to provide more than 2,500 life-saving defibrillators to local communities and I strongly urge eligible local clubs to consider applying,” Mr Ayres said.
“With over 7,000 people experiencing out of hospital cardiac arrest in NSW every year, immediate access to CPR and defibrillation at local sports grounds is vital.
“In 2018, we hope to increase the availability of defibrillators at community-based sports facilities and improve the likelihood of survival for incidents of cardiac arrest.”
Clubs receive 50 per cent towards the funding and maintenance of a defibrillator, with clubs in NSW’s Far West region set to benefit from a 75 per cent co-contribution from the program.
Applications close 14 September 2018. Details about applications and eligibility can be found at https://sport.nsw.gov.au/clubs/grants/defibrillator