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Mr Gulaptis is pictured with Debbie Pawsey from the Evans Head Surf Life Saving Club who secured a defibrillator under the last funding round. Image: Contributed

More Clarence and Richmond Valley sports clubs urged to save lives

Applications are now open for the NSW Government’s defibrillator subsidy initiative, Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis has announced.

“In one recent case, Dr John Galicek who plays for St Michael’s FC saved the lives of 51-year old Nick Schicht and 64-year old Ian Rae during two separate games in a Sydney suburban football league,” Mr Gulaptis said.

“So we know these devices are worth having and you get them at half price courtesy of the NSW Government.”

Mr Gulaptis said that in last funding round, sports clubs in Evans Head, Grafton, Yamba and Minnie Water were successful in securing the lifesaving emergency medical equipment.

“More than 33,000 Australians have a heart attack every year and quick access to CPR and defibrillation increases survival rate by 75 per cent,” Mr Gulaptis said.

“That is why I want other local clubs to apply,” Mr Gulaptis concluded.

Application close on September 14. More information can be found at www.sport.nsw.gov.au.