East Mayo Athletics Club and the CBD Sports Complex presented the Michael Duffy Memorial Plaque for 2020 to Kilbeagh Community Alert Group in recognition of their work in the community over the last number of years.
Kilbeagh Community Alert Group was formed in March 2017 after concern was raised in the community over crime related incidents. The main aim was to give local communities a voice and to work closely with the Gardaí in making communities safer. They joined ‘Community Alert’ which is a crime prevention and community safety programme which operates in partnership with Muintir na Tire and the Garda Siochana.
The group has expanded since its inception in 2017 an today includes Kilbeagh Community First Responders Group and the Senior Alerts Scheme.
The aim of the first responders group is to reach a potential life threating emergency in the first vital few minutes before an ambulance crew arrives and to stabilise the patient and provide appropriate care including defibrillation until the ambulance crew arrive on the scene. The responders work closely with the National Ambulance Service and presently have eleven fixed Automated External Defibrillators and three mobile defibrillators in the Charlestown/Carracastle areas.
The Seniors Alert Scheme has been established to encourage community support for vulnerable older people in local communities. It provides funding for personal monitored alarms connected to a contact centre to enable persons aged 65 and over and of limited means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace in mind.
When the country went into lockdown in March 2020 with Covid-19, the Kilbeagh Community Alert Group set about organising a team whose role was to help the elderly and vulnerable in the local area. With over sixteen volunteers, they started contacting over 100 elderly, vulnerable people in the area and regularly offered assistance and support. During this time they worked closely with the Gardaí, local shops butchers, pharmacies and local taxis to help in any way possible.
The Kilbeagh Community Alert Group stated they are honoured to receive this award and would like to sincerely thank the work of all their volunteers and the local people in the area who have supported them. They added a special thank you to the local people, businesses, schools and organisations who have assisted them to get where they are today.
If you would like to become a volunteer within the Kilbeagh Community Alert Group or join the Senior Alert Scheme or Community Alert then do not hesitate in calling Paul on 087 3878408. Check out their Facebook page also.