Limerick are top lifesavers in Ireland

The Limerick team beat-off strong competition from other Red Cross members from right across Ireland at the competitions which took place today at the Oriel House Hotel, Ballincollig Co. Cork.

The Dominic Nugent Senior Individual Prize dedication to the service was won by Jennifer McGrory from Donegal.

Congratulating the winners, the Acting Chairman of the Irish Red Cross, Mr. Tony Lawlor said they had shown great skill and care when treating casualties at the competitions.

"These competitions ensure that Irish Red Cross members renew their knowledge and skills. Treating people in pain and distress is challenging and our members train consistently to ensure that they can meet this challenge.

Our competitions are hugely important to assessing the skill-base of our volunteers. It is vital that the Irish Red Cross volunteers achieve the highest standards in First Aid training as their services are constantly required at home and abroad," said Tony Lawlor.

These lifesaving services are made possible due to vital donations from the Irish public however funds to continue this good work at home and around the world are still urgently needed. This month the Irish Red Cross is encouraging the public to get involved in the Save a Life - Change a Life campaign, and give what they can in one of three different ways; by buying a pin in an O'Brien's sandwich bar, online at www.redcross.ie or via text message.

Three ways in which you can help now

• Buy a special Save a Life - Change a Life pin in the form of a lifesaving First Aid kit for €2 in any O'Brien's sandwich bar
• Donate by texting REDCROSS to 57500 (texts cost €5*)
• Visit www.redcross.ie and give whatever you can

All funds raised during the campaign will help boost Irish Red Cross services provided around Ireland and overseas.

*(2x €2.50 plus standard SMS rates apply) €5 donation in the form of two €2.50 messages. All proceeds to the Irish Red Cross. S.P. Púca (01) 499 5939 PO Box 10975, Dublin 6. Irish Red Cross Registered Charity Number: CHY 3950.

Notes to the Editor

• Teams and individuals competing were presented with a range of challenging and realistic scenarios posed by volunteer "casualties".
• The National First Aid finals take place every year and consist of two events, the Dominic Nugent Senior Individual Cup for individual entrants and the President's Perpetual Trophy for team events.
• Teams and individuals are presented with a range of challenging and realistic scenarios posed by volunteer "casualties". Scenarios and injuries such as car accidents, strokes, heart attacks and other emergencies are re-enacted which require immediate First Aid "treatment" at the scene.
• The President's First Aid Competition is a team event consisting of 6 members per team.
• Each year, the winning team goes on to represent Ireland at the First Aid Convention in Europe (FACE) championships. Last year the 2008 Dublin team competed in Germany and took second place, the fourth successive year in which Ireland has achieved thi.
• The Louth team, who won the 2009 Presidents Perpetual Trophy, have been intensively training for a number of months and will represent Ireland at the European Championships in Serbia this July.
• President Mary McAleese presented the winners of the 2008 (Dublin) and 2009 (Louth) Presidents Perpetual Trophy on 21 April 2010.
• The full list of winners are as follows:

President's Perpetual Trophy

1st place: Limerick

Orlaith Shinners
Zoe Gogarty
Kyna Regan
Niall Dunworth
Gerard O'Connor

Anne O'Meara

2nd place: Louth

Carol Cumisky
Ryan Mulholland
Amanda Carroll
Paul Nordon
Clare Ward
Tadgh McGivern

3rd place: Cork

Aileen Murphy
Eileen Cronin
Geraldine Cronin
Sarah Vaughan
Eileen Sheehan
Orla Murphy

Dominic Nugent Senior Individual Cup

1st place: Jennifer McGrory - Donegal

2nd place: Ryan Mulholland - Louth

3rd place: Helen Lynch - Cavan

Ends