A woman who was struck by a car as she waited outside a coffee shop in Waterford is appealing to people to donate to CRITICAL charity and support life-saving emergency care in communities across Ireland this Christmas.
Olivia Hunt, who is originally from Roscommon, suffered serious injuries in the incident in Dunmore East in June 2023. Dr Paul Campbell who volunteers with the emergency medical charity during his spare time, was one of the first responders to arrive at the scene. The Dunmore East based doctor assessed Olivia’s injuries, administered painkillers and stabilised her before she was brought to hospital.
Dr Campbell’s emergency response vehicle and equipment is provided by CRITICAL. The charity has a growing network of more than 300 volunteer responders active across Ireland including doctors and consultants equipped with vehicles and high-tech equipment; community first responder (CFR) groups; as well off-duty paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs). They are dispatched by the National Ambulance Service and communicate closely with the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) while on scene.
CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN
CRITICAL has launched a new Christmas campaign to light up 1,308 lights, one for every call answered in 2024. Donors can sponsor a light from now until Christmas Day in support of the charity’s life-saving work and can also dedicate it in honour or remembrance of someone special.
“When Paul arrived he brought a sense of calm to what was a terrifying situation. He was only a couple of hundred metres away when he got the call and took control straight away,” Olivia Hunt recalled.
“I was in shock and had suffered multiple fractures to my pelvis and lower back, but Pau brought his medical expertise, pain medication and incredible care. Paul, the paramedics and the fire crews were like my guardian angels that day. Accidents happen every single day of the week and who would you want to be there with your husband, wife or child if something happened? I want that person to have the same access to care that I had.
“CRITICAL is a voluntary organisation and needs our support to equip volunteers in more locations across Ireland. How special would it feel to help someone in their most vulnerable moment? CRITICAL is doing that through their first responders and emergency medical responders.”
Dr Paul Campbell said that he volunteered with CRITICAL as he’s seen first-hand how vital the service is for people in our communities.
“The equipment and the vehicle I rely on are all made possible through donations. It is great to see how well Olivia is doing after her accident and would like to wish her the best for ongoing recovery.
I would also like to thank Olivia and her husband Eugene for the support they give to CRITICAL. The money they have raised will help the charity’s volunteers continue to provide urgent care in the community at a time of need.”
‘EVERY LIGHT A LIFE’
David Tighe, chief executive of CRITICAL, stated their thanks to Olivia for deciding to tell her story as they launch the Christmas campaign, having responded to more than 1,600 calls to date this year.
“Our Christmas campaign is called ‘Every Light A Life’ and it’s about celebrating our volunteers and the amazing work that they do day in, day out, 365 days a year right across the island of Ireland. One of the main reasons they volunteer is because they want to make a difference within their communities. It doesn’t matter whether they are doctors like Paul or community first responders who train to respond to cardiac arrests and strokes, they all have a huge impact”.
For more information, to donate to CRITICAL’s Every Light A Life campaign, visit https://criticalcharity.ie/
