De Vere backs Bernard Gallacher’s defibrillators campaign

De Vere has announced its full support and backing for the recently launched nationwide campaign fronted by golfing legend Bernard Gallacher looking to save lives by making defibrillators available across golf clubs throughout the UK & Ireland.

Following the campaign’s launch at Wentworth, De Vere has taken steps to commit to a series of fundraising events to be held across its impressive portfolio of UK golf resorts throughout 2014.

In line with other participating golf clubs, De Vere would like to host one event at each of its resorts looking to raise the funds for the campaign and get defibrillators installed at each property.

The campaign was instigated by Bernard and his wife Lesley Gallacher following his emotional ordeal earlier in the year, when he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest during a dinner reception in Aberdeen. Fortunately Bernard was lucky that an automated external defibrillator (AED) was on-site and early-response CPR could be administered to help him regain consciousness and take steps towards a full recovery.

However, the Gallachers realise that other people may not be so lucky, as without early intervention, there is only around a 5% chance of survival. Therefore, the campaign is looking to encourage every golf club or driving range to have an AED close by in case of emergency, and hopefully save lives.

Keith Pickard, Regional Golf Director – De Vere, explains why De Vere want to show support for the campaign and how it will benefit many De Vere resorts: “Bernard is a golfing icon and we were all in a state of shock when we heard he had been taken ill. There was never any doubt that we would want to support this campaign. We are always looking to give back to golf across all levels of the game, and this provides the perfect platform to increase awareness of this issue and hopefully save lives in the future.

“We currently only have one defibrillator at Slaley Hall (pictured) and Belton Woods, as well as a number at The Belfry. However, we believe it is vitally important to have at least one available at each resort, and therefore through a series of fundraising events, we hope to raise enough money to make it possible to purchase one at each of our properties and provide further donations to the campaign throughout 2014.”

Ryder Cup legend Gallacher was delighted to hear of De Vere’s instant commitment to the campaign, “Obviously De Vere is one of the UK’s leading golf providers and has some first class resorts.

“Therefore, to have someone one like this in full support of the campaign is fantastic to hear and just continues with the early momentum that it has gained since the launch event. Some fantastic names from across the world of golf have already put their names to the campaign and to have De Vere add their name to the list is just fantastic news.”

Dates are to be confirmed early 2014 across De Vere resorts.For more details on the campaign, visit www.defibssavelives.org or follow @PlayGolf4Defibs on Twitter.