Life-saving gift in partner’s memory

July 9, 2024 | in News

The Camperdown community has been gifted a life-saving device in honour of a Ballarat woman who loved to holiday in the lakeside town.

Now a Camperdown local, Greg Madden recently gifted an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to the Lakes & Craters Holiday Park in memory of his partner Faye who sadly passed away from cancer.

AEDs are used to shock the heart back into rhythm following a cardiac arrest and play a vital role in a person’s survival.

Mr Madden said he wanted to do something to help the community.

“I read about someone donating an AED in the local paper and I thought that was a good idea,” he said.

“I spoke to the local paramedics and we decided the caravan park, which is a very popular spot, would be a good location.”

Ambulance Victoria Team Manager Andrew Berry said Mr Madden’s generosity would potentially save lives.

“We know that about 20 Victorians suffer a cardiac arrest every day and only one in 10 survive,” Mr Berry said.

“But when a patient receives CPR and a shock from an AED before paramedics arrive, the person’s chance of survival more than doubles.

“Greg’s generous donation to the Camperdown community will make a real difference and is a wonderful way to pay tribute to his beloved partner Faye who loved this spot.”

The AED is located inside the check-in lodge, which is accessible 24 hours a day within the Lakes & Craters Holiday Park.

The AED has been registered with Ambulance Victoria, allowing Triple Zero Victoria call-takers to inform callers of its location during a medical emergency.

There are currently 15 AEDs registered with Ambulance Victoria in Camperdown.

Mr Madden said the caravan park was a special place for him and his late partner.

“We had many happy memories from our time there,” he said.

“If this AED saves one person, then that’s a good thing.”

Find out more about how to use an AED or to learn CPR.

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