Defibrillators for Parkrun
Donation protected
My name is Brett and on Saturday 23rd December I was running my local Mullum Mullum 5km Parkrun with my 8yr old son Charlie and his friend Josh when I had a sudden cardiac arrest. My heart stopped and I fell to the ground.
Fortunately for me, Mullum Mullum Parkrun’s director, Scott, was running a couple of steps away when I fell and more help quickly arrived. Within moments my first responders were identifying the arrest and starting CPR. Mullum Mullum Parkrun’s brand new 2mth old defibrillator, purchased from a grant from Maroondah Council, was run down from the start line.
I owe my life to the spontaneous actions and courage of the first responders and the defibrillator granted by Maroondah Council. The quality of the CPR was textbook-exceptional and the first responders kept my blood pumping to my heart, brain and organs. They kept me going for the 15 minutes I was down until the ambulance arrived. The paramedics and Box Hill Hospital Cardiac ward stablised me and brought me back to health.
My cardiologists are amazed that I left hospital after only 12 days and the reason is because of the unbelievably high quality of the CPR provided by my first responders.
Mullum Mullum Parkrun community rallied around me that morning. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the beautiful people that not only saved my life but have supported Bec, Charlie, Mack and I through the last four weeks.
Parkrun Australia have campaigned through 2017 for all Parkruns in Australia to have their own defibrillator. The campaign has increased the number of defibrillators from approx. 10% at the start of 2017 to just over 80% now. At 20 January 2018, 45 Parkruns in Australia don’t have a defibrillator, many in rural towns. All new Parkruns now need a $2000 defibrillator as part of their startup funding, which needs to be raised by the event organisers.
My goal is to raise funds for the purchase of 2, 3 or more defibrillators for existing and new Parkruns.
Parkrun is a free weekly 5km timed run which is organised and run purely by volunteers. If you love the wonderful community and family spirit embodied by Parkrun then please join me in donating any amount you can afford.
Parkrun Australia are very thankful and supportive of this endeavour. All funds will be donated to Parkrun Australia for the purpose of purchasing defibrillators for existing and new Parkruns.
Bec and I are starting this campaign by donating $2000 for the purchase of one defibrillator.
I hope it is never needed, but maybe one day it'll help to save someone else's life.
Thankyou Mullum Mullum Parkrun and Parkrun Australia!
Words can't describe how grateful I am to my first responders, Maroondah Council, the paramedics and the Cardiology team at Box Hill Hospital!
Christmas Eve 2017 - Brett with Bec and Scott Hawkins
Day 12 was home day!
Fortunately for me, Mullum Mullum Parkrun’s director, Scott, was running a couple of steps away when I fell and more help quickly arrived. Within moments my first responders were identifying the arrest and starting CPR. Mullum Mullum Parkrun’s brand new 2mth old defibrillator, purchased from a grant from Maroondah Council, was run down from the start line.
I owe my life to the spontaneous actions and courage of the first responders and the defibrillator granted by Maroondah Council. The quality of the CPR was textbook-exceptional and the first responders kept my blood pumping to my heart, brain and organs. They kept me going for the 15 minutes I was down until the ambulance arrived. The paramedics and Box Hill Hospital Cardiac ward stablised me and brought me back to health.
My cardiologists are amazed that I left hospital after only 12 days and the reason is because of the unbelievably high quality of the CPR provided by my first responders.
Mullum Mullum Parkrun community rallied around me that morning. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the beautiful people that not only saved my life but have supported Bec, Charlie, Mack and I through the last four weeks.
Parkrun Australia have campaigned through 2017 for all Parkruns in Australia to have their own defibrillator. The campaign has increased the number of defibrillators from approx. 10% at the start of 2017 to just over 80% now. At 20 January 2018, 45 Parkruns in Australia don’t have a defibrillator, many in rural towns. All new Parkruns now need a $2000 defibrillator as part of their startup funding, which needs to be raised by the event organisers.
My goal is to raise funds for the purchase of 2, 3 or more defibrillators for existing and new Parkruns.
Parkrun is a free weekly 5km timed run which is organised and run purely by volunteers. If you love the wonderful community and family spirit embodied by Parkrun then please join me in donating any amount you can afford.
Parkrun Australia are very thankful and supportive of this endeavour. All funds will be donated to Parkrun Australia for the purpose of purchasing defibrillators for existing and new Parkruns.
Bec and I are starting this campaign by donating $2000 for the purchase of one defibrillator.
I hope it is never needed, but maybe one day it'll help to save someone else's life.
Thankyou Mullum Mullum Parkrun and Parkrun Australia!
Words can't describe how grateful I am to my first responders, Maroondah Council, the paramedics and the Cardiology team at Box Hill Hospital!
Christmas Eve 2017 - Brett with Bec and Scott HawkinsDay 12 was home day!Organizer
Brett Orpwood
Organizer
Rangeview, VIC