FOURTEEN years after the sudden death of her son, Ann Boland has donated a defibrillator every year in his memory to various schools and clubs around Limerick.
Ann’s sole motivation is to commemorate her only child, David, who was just fourteen years old when he died from a sudden severe asthma attack, by helping others avoid such a tragic outcome.
She said it is only in the last few years she has been able to speak about David’s death.
“I remember seeing him in the Regional Hospital. There were wires in him and he was very shy. His lips were a bit blue and I was kissing him and saying, ‘they are all outside waiting for you’.
“He never regained consciousness”.
Abbey Sarsfield, St Mary’s and Thomond Rugby Clubs, St Gabriel’s School, Irish Search and Rescue, St Brigid’s School and Corpus Christi primary school in Moyross are some of the groups and organisations that have benefited from Ann’s gift of life.
“People have donated money to me in memory of my son for defibrillators and I have the place picked out where I’m donating the next one to,” she said.
Ann holds several events every year to raise funds for the purchase of defibrillators which can cost up to €2,000 and then she donates them across the city.
“It’s hard work. It keeps me going sometimes. You get your bad days but say to yourself, I’m here for a reason. It might be fourteen years, but it’s only like yesterday to me and my husband.
“He was our only child, they are precious. I can talk about it now. It’s something that never leaves you.
“I’m very grateful to everyone who has donated spot prizes and all who have helped me along the way.
“I would love to hear if someone had been saved with the defibrillator, it would mean a lot knowing that it saved someone’s life.
“I hope they are never used, but they are needed to be everywhere now,” added Ann.
Eleonor Goodisson, who received the latest defibrillators on behalf of Abbey Rovers football club, told the Limerick Post that “Ann is doing a great job, quietly going around donating this life saving equipment”.
