Fun run to aid heart equipment

Press, 27 April 1989, Page 4

Fun run to aid heart equipment

Money raised by this year’s Park-to-Park fun run and walk organised by “The Press” will go towards the purchase of a $13,000 heart monitor and defibrillator.

Entry fees for the run, on May 7, and proceeds from an associated fair at Sydenham Park, will help buy the Heartstart machine for the Order of St John in Christchurch. St John aims to have a heart monitor-defibrillator in all of its frontline ambulances. The machine enables on-site assessment of acute heart conditions and immediate treatment. The chief ambulance officer, Mr Bernie Chatterton, said that use of the service’s five defibrillators was high. The units’ monitoring function was used two or three times daily where heart problems were expected. “The Heartstart defibrillator we are keen to purchase represents quite

an advance on other units. It not only displays the patient’s heart rhythms, but also analyses those rhythms and suggests whether treatment is required,” he said. About $6OOO raised from last year’s Park-to-Park fun run and walk was put towards a computer for the Christchurch Shool of Medicine.

This year’s event will begin at 9.30 a.m. at Sydenham Park. Entrants will run or walk to the Cashmere Hills and back to the park beside the Heathcote River and Colombo Street.

For the less energetic there is an alternative route on the flat. Between 2000 and 3000 people usually take part

in the Park-to-Park, but the organisers are hoping for a bigger turn-out this year. All tickets sold for the run will be in the draw for a trip for two to Auckland. In conjunction with the run, the Christchurch South Rotary Club will hold a fair, which will start at 9 a.m. at Sydenham Park. There will be fast food, clothing, cakes, books, side shows and auctions, along with a trailer sale — a garage sale on wheels. Run cards will be available at the park from 8.30 a.m. on the day of the event, for at least $2, or they can be obtained from “The Press” before the day.