The Order of Malta in Dundalk, is looking to recruit new members for the organisation as demand for the voluntary service has increased by over 20% in the last year.
Membership of the Order of Malta is open to everyone. The voluntary service meets on a Monday at 8pm to 10pm every week in Mill Street. The cadet unit is looking for members between the ages of 10 to 16 years while the senior unit is recruiting for ages 16 and up.
The Order of Malta is a charity that devotes its time to voluntary, community and First Aid services. First Aid duties include working at locations such as football matches, horseraces, nightclubs and concerts. Community duties include hospital transfers and nursing home visits.
The charity also provides public First Aid courses. In 2013, the Dundalk Order of Malta carried out a total of 198 duties. 128 of those duties were first aid services and 80 of these duties were community services. There was a grand total of 2,352 man hours, which is a leap of 500 hours from last year.
“It has been an incredibly busy year for us with hundreds of duties in the community. We urge young people and adults to join for a really rewarding experience,” said David Caldwell, PRO of the Order of Malta.
“Being a member of the Order of Malta Voluntary service to me is a privilege, helping people, learning vital skills and meeting new people all make it so rewarding and enjoyable,” added local student Niamh Fergus, who has been a member of the Order for the last five years.
There is no experience required to join the Order as everyone will be trained. This training ranges from basic level First Aid all the way up to EMT (Emergency Medical Technician). Some of the vital skills covered in this training are CPR, using a defibrillator, spinal immobilisation and basic slings and dressing.
For more information on the Order of Malta contact Officer in Charge Caitriona Clarke at 0879356381 or Duty Officer Paul Duffy at 0879371272. Alternatively visit www.orderofmaltaireland.org or email dundalk@orderofmalta.ie
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