Gig for local first responders’ group
A live music fundraiser will take place in Arva this Tuesday (July 29) to raise funds for the Arva Cornafean Killeshandra Community First Responder group.
Entitled MyNameIsMond, the event is hosted by Des Walsh, who will perform his own original music on the night. The free entry gig will see a bucket passed around for voluntary donations which will go towards Automated External Defibrillator’s (AED) for the first responder group.
“I’m involved with the CFR group and the one thing that we all need to have is an AED machine with us when we travel to a call,” Des told the Celt, adding that there are “plenty” AEDs in the area however it “saves a lot of time” if responders have one of their own.
“It would be much quicker to go straight to somebody’s house if they are in trouble. Every minute counts when somebody is having cardiac issues,” he said.
The CFR group went live on June 5 and has since been providing first response services to cardiac, choking and stroke calls, among others.
They work in conjunction with the National Ambulance Service. When an ambulance is called for somebody in their catchment area, they will be immediately alerted if paramedics feels their intervention could have the potential to give somebody more time and improve patient outcomes.
Performing and writing since his teens, Des has decided to use his talents to raise funds for the group. He will play songs he has been penning himself since the 80s. While he will be on guitar and vocals, his good friend Joe Gorman from Aughnacliffe will play bass, with some backing vocals too. The Cornafean man is a member of ‘Whistle’, an Americana-style band which recently brought out a new album, in which Des has written ‘Ribbons and Curls’, ‘Laundry Love’, ‘Trailer Park Dreams’ and ‘Shallow Hole’. However, the upcoming fundraiser will be a more informal night with two friends playing music together for a good cause.
“I’ve never actually done a full gig of my own songs so I think it’s just nice to give them a chance to air. There’s no point in having a song if nobody gets to listen to it.”
Similar to his career in music, Des has also been a first responder since his teenage years and was delighted when the opportunity to volunteer locally came in the form of the Arva Cornafean Killeshandra Community First Responder group.
“If you want to listen to some original Irish written music that you’ve never heard before this an opportunity to go out and do that and support a local artist,” he encouraged, while also raising “a few bob” towards the CFR group.
The event will take place on the week of the Arva Three Province Festival, meaning there will be “lots of other events and music” around the town.
MyNameIsMond will take place at St Patrick’s Hall Arva on Tuesday July 29 at 7:30pm. Entry is free with donations accepted on the night.