Mullingar unit of Order of Malta wins Lifeline Ambulances' Facebook giveaway

Shane King

The Mullingar Unit of the Order of Malta were one of three lucky winners of a big prize in a recent Facebook competition run by Leixlip based company Lifeline Ambulances.

The competition was a giveaway of three second-hand ambulances and was open to any voluntary ambulance service in the country.

When the competition was announced, the Mullingar Unit of the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps shared the competition among its followers on social media.

A huge response followed and hundreds of people shared, tagged and liked the original post to gain entries into the draw.

There were more than 120 entries. Luck was on their side and they were drawn out of the bag by Lifeline CEO David Hall, claiming the third and final Ambulance on offer last month.

Mullingar Officer in Charge, Adjutant Colin Watters said local unit members were “delighted” to have been drawn as one of the winners of the competition.

“This new ambulance added to our fleet is a brilliant addition to the services we provide as a voluntary organisation," he said.

"I have to thanks all our members, their family and friends, or anybody that entered on our behalf".

While getting the new ambulance ready for its Mullingar workload will not be cheap, the local unit hope to run extra fundraising in the coming weeks to help cover the costs.

Officer in charge Colin said that all support to their fundraising efforts would be “greatly appreciated”.

“I would like to say a big thanks to Hamills on the old Dublin Road and Laurel Signs in Kilbeggan, who are working alongside us to get the ambulance out on duties as soon as possible.

“From everyone in the Mullingar Unit, we wish to pass on a huge debt of thanks to David, Lisa and Johnny O’Sullivan and all in Lifeline Ambulance Service.” Colin said.

Busy Time

The duties, patient transfers and community events are coming thick and fast during the summer season.

So far, the Mullingar unit can help almost everyone who comes looking for their assistance.

In recent weeks the unit have covered numerous events in a matter of days. Recounting one recent weekend of work, Colin Watters explained how the unit managed a hectic schedule.

“On one Saturday in June, the local unit covered three duties at the same time, in two different counties," he said.

"The crews of volunteers covered an event in the Mullingar Equestrian Centre, the Cavan vs Roscommon GAA game in Pearse Park in Longford and the inaugural Longford Pride parade in Longford Town.

“If one busy day wasn’t enough the team was back in Longford on the Sunday, covering the Community Games finals in Ballymahon.

"Then on the following Monday afternoon, the branch were on the road again in assisting the Tullamore and Athlone Units, to cover the latest Kilbeggan Races.

"This puts a serious strain on our volunteer members, but they all stood up to be counted on that particular weekend".

New members and drivers welcome

If you are interested in joining what are a fantastic group of volunteers, the Mullingar unit of Order of Malta will be running another first aid responder course in the coming weeks.

There are limited places on the course and it will be the last intake of new members until the autumn.

If you like driving and are not really interested in the medical end of things, the unit are also looking for some recently retired ‘emergency drivers’ to complement the driving team.

These personnel could be retired gardaí, fire service, ambulance, prison or army drivers.