Grant boost for St John

AVID Property Group representative Joshua Barak and the St John's Marjorie Devereux. (Supplied)

St John Ambulance Victoria have received a boost to fund its CPR education program and continue saving lives in Melbourne’s in Melton.

St John received $500 from AVID Property Group as part of its 2024 Carolina community grants program.

With heart attacks on the rise, St John Victoria chief executive Gordon Botwright said the grant will not only allow St John to expand into more communities, including Deanside, but also help with the roll-out of its existing training and education programs, including CPR Lab, a free, 10-minute CPR workshop.

“We are delighted to be the recipient of this grant as we keep striving towards our vision of ‘more lives saved,” Mr Botwright said.

According to St John, cardiac arrest incidences are rising in Victoria but having CPR knowledge increases the chances of survival by over 200 per cent.

Mr Botwright said it is important people learn what to do in an emergency.

“Everyone should be learning CPR, and CPR Lab is an accessible way for people to be exposed to these skills. Carolina is a young community, with lots of new families who might not have done first aid training yet.”

CPR Lab is a mobile van and team of experts providing fun and informative workshops all over the state.

AVID Victoria acting general manager Bruce Harper said the team are excited to be supporting this invaluable community service group, providing medical assistance to Victorians for more than 141 years.

“This group wholeheartedly embodies the AVID spirit of bringing people together for good and we are looking forward to seeing the fantastic educational benefits they bring to our Carolina residents and the surrounding community.”

Matthew Younan