Motorbike Run to raise funds for Ballymahon Defibrillator Group

Ballymahon’s 4th annual Honda 50 & Motorbike Fun Run takes place on Sunday, July 6, next.

This year Ballymahon Niftys has nominated Ballymahon Defibrillator Group as the beneficiary of its event, as it is three years since the group last held a fundraiser.

Darren Mulledy, who is involved with both Ballymahon Niftys and Ballymahon Defibrillator Group explained that it is vital that the group has funds available to purchase pads and batteries for the defibrillators that serve the community.

Ballymahon Defibrillator Group has ten defibrillators operating on a PADs (Public Access Defibrillators) system.

Each device uses either a five-year or a seven-year battery and two sets of pads, which need to be changed out every two years or whenever they are used. Pads cost €130 per unit and a five-year battery costs almost €400 each.

The group has three defibrillators in Ballymahon town - one at Nally’s Circle K, one at Applegreen on the Edgeworthstown road and one at Maxol Centra on the Athlone road.

It also has a defibrillator at Alex Stanley’s house near the Redbridge and one at Foigha bar on the Lanesboro road.

There are three defibrillators in Tang parish - one at Tang church, one at Tang GAA pitch and one at Maghera pub, as well as two in the parish of Forgney - one at Forgney church and the other at Forgney school and GAA pitch.

Ballymahon Defibrillator Group also provides free training in CPR and the use of the defibrillator. The Heartsaver course is two hours long, with courses starting in November and running until the end of April.

Ballymahon Niftys said this week the group is delighted to have Peter Hanley Motors on board as this year's main sponsor.

"Peter and David are also allowing us to use their facilities so we can serve refreshments before and after the run and have our raffle, and for this we are very grateful," Ballymahon Niftys said in a statement this week.

The group has made appeals for local businesses to support their run in aid of Ballymahon Defibrillator Group by giving a donation or a spot prize for their raffles. Each business that comes on board will have their photo taken with their sign and will be thanked on social media platforms.

Registration takes place outside Egan’s Motorcycle Clothing & Accessories shop, which is located beside Peter Hanley Motors. Registration opens at 10.30am and bikes depart at 12.30pm sharp. Everyone is welcome to come out and see all the different types of bikes and buy a raffle ticket, with the raffle taking place after the run.

"Mike and I would like to take this opportunity to thank our main sponsor Peter Hanley Motors and all the other businesses that have made donations or gave prizes for our raffles. All proceeds on the day will help Ballymahon Defibrillator Group keep their training programme going and keep all ten defibrillators maintained," said Darren Mulledy.