PARAMEDIC students from Charles Sturt University (CSU) have raised more than $15,000 via The Student Heart Project, established to buy defibrillators for community groups.
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At the inaugural Red and Blue Emergency Services Ball on Friday, August 7, about $10,000 of that amount was raised by the 420 guests who paid $50 a ticket and showed their support by dressing to the nines in shades of red and blue.
The paramedic students, Jess Genders, Dane Rickwood and Daniel Steinbeck, are studying the Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) at CSU Port Macquarie campus and organised the event at Panthers Port Macquarie.
Special guests included the Member for Port Macquarie, Minister for Early Childhood Education, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, and Assistant Minister for Education.
Leslie Williams and her husband Don.
Head of the Port Macquarie campus, Professor Heather Cavanagh, said: "The ball was an opportunity to bring together the community, students and staff from Charles Sturt University and acknowledge the contribution of local emergency services, all in the name of a good cause".
It is hoped the Red and Blue Ball will become an annual fundraising event.
So far, three defibrillators have been donated by The Student Heart Project supporters Defib for Life, Zoll, and an anonymous community member.
"One of the defibrillators was presented on the night to the Rotary Lodge, an accommodation service for patients undertaking cancer treatment and other care at Port Macquarie Base Hospital," Professor Cavanagh said.
The money raised at the ball will buy another three defibrillators for the Port Macquarie and Hastings region and the Student Heart Project is accepting applications for these from community groups.
To apply for a defibrillator, email student.heart.project@outlook.com