Epic cycle for local CFR group

A group of west Cavan cyclists will soon take part in a 176km cycle from Malin to Corlough in aid of the local Community First Responders (CFR) group.

Founded in 2023, Corlough CFR provides emergency support to people suffering from chest pain, stroke, choking or cardiac arrest throughout the rural parishes of Corlough, Swanlinbar and Templeport while awaiting the arrival of an ambulance.

Around 20 people will take part in the fundraising cycle, including responder Elaine Reilly who is taking on the full route, and a number of others will join from either Enniskillen or Swanlinbar.

After setting off around 6.30am, it is expected they will return to Corlough Community Centre towards the late afternoon or early evening, where they will be warmly greeted with plenty of refreshments.

The group is seeking funding to contribute towards the updating of storage boxes containing defibrillators in the region to ensure ease of access, and for a full body mannequin to enhance scenario training. They are also looking into mannequins that can give you feedback on your training, such as the rate of your compressions.

The group has a number of regular expenses, including for defibrillator pads, which must be replaced each time they’re used, and towards the maintenance and upkeep of equipment.

Like all community first responder groups, Corlough CFR receives no national funding, and is reliant on grants and local fundraising.

There is a significant time commitment for responders, who meet monthly for mandatory training and may respond to calls at any hour, day or night.

They must complete training on infection control, handwashing, PPE, ‘Children First’ and critical incident management to look after their own wellbeing while helping others. They must also complete basic life support training and AED training every two years.

“These are volunteers giving their time, monthly, weekly, daily, leaving what they were doing to go out and help their neighbours and friends in the wider west Cavan community,” says founding member Agnes Dulake.

“I cannot say enough about where they’ve put themselves, what they’ve achieved in doing this training and what they’re providing to the area, to greater west Cavan.”

Corlough CFR went live to calls in Spring 2025. While there is no onus on the group to attend calls, which they only attend to when they’re available, they have had a 100% attendance rate since going live.

Two people typically attend calls in pairs for support but more may be needed depending on the circumstances.

They operate in conjunction with the National Ambulance Service, who alert them once an emergency call has been made in the area.

“It doesn’t delay the ambulance going to that person but we are there on the scene first to assist and help in any way that we can,” Agnes says.

Agnes and her husband Les are both nurses. They noticed there was a need in the area as they would often receive calls for help while people were waiting for an ambulance. They attended the launch of the Augnasheelin CFR group and were inspired to set up a similar group in their own community.

Once they arrive at the scene, they ask questions about the person’s condition, collect medical history and keep their families informed.

Since their launch, they have trained over 30 responders and they currently have 24 people who actively respond to calls.

The National Ambulance Service has recently launched a CFR app to notify responders, where they can say when they are going to the scene and when they have arrived. There is also navigation built into the app, which directs responders to the eircode of the emergency.

Corlough CFR are grateful for the support of Liam Stewart, National Ambulance Service Community Engagement Officer, who has assisted the group since their launch, for the cyclists who have taken on this fundraiser, and the local community who have been “very good” to them.

The group was recently nominated for a Pride of Place award in the Community Wellbeing category.

“We’re hoping that we’re not needed, that we won’t have to go and help but if the call does come, we are there and our aim is to get to the person while the ambulance is on its way,” says Agnes.

“It doesn’t delay the ambulance, we’ll just be there to assist in a time of need.”

To support Corlough CFR’s ‘Malin to Corlough’ fundraising cycle, visit here.