Fitness challenge to raise funds for Critical  which has base in North Cork

Emergency medical charity, CRITICAL, which has a base in North Cork, has launched a new challenge to bring lifesaving services to new locations.

CRITICAL, which is Ireland’s leading emergency medical charity, established in 2009 as Irish Community Rapid Response, is encouraging workplaces, community groups and individuals to sign up to a 41-day fitness challenge as the charity continues to expand its services.

The charity, which responds to 999/112 calls including cardiac arrests, strokes and breathing difficulties, has a growing network of more than 300 volunteers who are active across 21 counties.

The organisation's volunteers have responded to almost 1,000 medical and trauma incidents this year, including 187 cardiac arrests.

Their network includes emergency doctors in Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Donegal, Dublin and Wicklow.

The challenge, entitled ‘Ready, Set, Respond’, will run from September 6, which is National Services Day, until October 16, which is Restart a Heart Day.

Participants in the challenge will be given a goal of reaching 1,308km, the total number of emergency calls CRITICAL volunteers responded to in 2024.

This goal can be achieved through running, walking, cycling or swimming.

The funds raised will be used to facilitate an expansion of CRITICAL’s services, as it costs an average of €150,000 to put a new emergency response vehicle on the road, and up to €15,000 to set up a new community response group.

Additionally, life support bags which contain a defibrillator, a resuscitation kit and a medical diagnostic kit cost €1,500 each.

David Tighe, who is the CEO of CRITICAL said that "every second counts in an emergency situation” which is why the charity is looking to expand it’s network of volunteers.

“We have seen a massive increase in call-outs this year and it is fitting that this challenge starts on National Services Day, a day when we celebrate frontline workers and the emergency services,” said Mr Tighe.

"We now have nine Community First Responder Groups and two new groups that are about to go live.

“They have responded to hundreds of cardiac arrests in recent years which is why we’ve chosen Restart A Heart Day as the final day of the challenge.” 

For more information, visit: www.criticalcharity.ie.