Caremark NI is fundraising to install a fully accessible public AED, available around the clock, which will serve not only our staff, but the entire Balloo Industrial Area and wider Bangor business community, including local businesses who operate in this busy area. This device could mean the difference between life and death in an emergency, especially during evenings, weekends, and holidays when most workplaces are closed.

If you would like to help us give back and help protect lives in our local community, please consider supporting this initiative. Every donation, no matter how small, brings us one step closer to ensuring fast, lifesaving intervention is always within reach.

Very recently, Caremark NI's dedicated Care Coordinator, Roberta, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. Her powerful story shared by her daughter Alana highlights just how critical it is to have a 24-hour accessible AED in our community to help protect lives when every second counts.

On the morning of October 30, 2024, my mum, Roberta, was at work at Caremark when she began experiencing severe chest pains. Concerned, she contacted her GP surgery for assistance. However, she was informed that there were no GP call-backs available until after 2 p.m. Determined to continue her day as normally as possible, Mum returned to work.

At 2 p.m., she contacted the surgery again and received a call-back shortly afterward. The GP, recognising the urgency of her condition, advised her to go directly to the hospital. A very close friend’s husband, Hugh Savage, kindly offered to drive her. Tragically, just two minutes into the journey, it happened—a major heart attack that caused her to go into cardiac arrest.

Without hesitation, Hugh immediately called emergency services and, under the guidance of the 999 operator, began performing CPR. According to doctors, my mum’s heart had stopped for a total of 16 minutes during this ordeal.

Amidst the critical situation, a young bystander, Ben Emmerson, from the local business MM Bangor, noticed the commotion. Acting swiftly, he ran to his workplace to retrieve a lifesaving defibrillator. Returning to the scene, Ben took over CPR (which he learned during his time in the cadets) from Hugh, while Caremark workers Andrew Caulfield and Roxane Abel arrived to assist. Andrew set up the defibrillator and followed the device’s instructions. Although initial attempts did not detect a shockable rhythm, Hugh and Ben persisted with their vital CPR efforts. Eventually, a rhythm was detected and a shock was administered.

Paramedics Chris and Noel arrived approximately 18 minutes after the initial call, taking over the situation. Thanks to the combined heroic actions of everyone involved—Hugh, Ben, Andrew, Roxane, and the paramedics—my mum survived what could have been an unimaginable tragedy.

We have been informed by the doctors that without their quick thinking, bravery, and teamwork, Mum would not be with us today. Words cannot fully express the depth of our gratitude for these incredible individuals. They are true heroes, and their selflessness deserves to be recognised far and wide.

As a family, we are forever indebted to them.

While there was a defibrillator available at a nearby business during working hours—and we are immensely grateful for that—this experience has highlighted the urgent need for 24-hour access to an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in our area.

Thank you—and to our heroes, thank you will never be enough.

Caremark NI are also hosting an Afternoon Tea in our Garden on Thursday 22nd May 2025 from 1300 - 1600, all local businesses, staff and families are welcome.