The Hearts of Vinnies

St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra/Goulburn partners with St John Ambulance ACT on a mission to help save lives in regional communities

All Vinnies Shops in Canberra/Goulburn Archdiocese aim to install Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).

Sudden cardiac arrest is the world's biggest cause of premature death, with almost 30,000 Australians suffering each year and only 10% surviving. Australians in regional areas are met with an even greater risk due to longer average ambulance wait times than in metro regions.

These shocking numbers have highlighted the significance of accessible defibrillators in public spaces. The combination of CPR and defibrillation is the only definitive treatment for Sudden Cardiac Arrest, increasing survival rates by up to 70% when used within 3 minutes.  

Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn aims to make real change by venturing into a unique partnership with St John Ambulance ACT. The Heart of Vinnies campaign focuses on rolling out lifesaving defibrillators in Vinnies shops from Goulburn down to Tumut, Lake Cargelligo to Merimbula, and Temora across to Batemans Bay.

Every second counts when it comes to saving the life of a person having a sudden heart attack. This initiative will make AEDs more accessible and able to be deployed quickly in an emergency, saving lives.

St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra/Goulburn's Director of Commercial Operations, Lindsay Rae, said, "Helping people in need is what we do here at Vinnies, and we are grateful to have this opportunity to keep hearts beating in our community."

Shoppers and donors can join the Heart of Vinnies campaign by donating at their local Vinnies Shops or by visiting www.shoutforgood.com/fundraisers/theheartsofvinnies.

Once each Vinnies shop reaches the $2,000 donation mark, a St John Ambulance AED will be purchased for that shop.

"Vinnies Shops in Moruya and Batemans Bay have already received donations for installing AEDs and will receive training from St John Ambulance ACT to help during a medical emergency," said Lindsay.

For media enquiries, contact Nikita Nair Nikita.nair@vinnies.org.au or call 0410 359 420