SPAR Colruyt Group has announced that it is installing new automated external defibrillator (AED) devices in more than 60 stores in Belgium.
The initiative follows a successful crowdfunding campaign, which enabled the retailer to purchase new AED devices.
Under the slogan ‘Your SPAR has a heart for the neighbourhood,’ Spar Colruyt Group stores organised the crowdfunding campaign from 4 to 31 March.
The campaign saw SPAR join forces with the non-profit organisation, HeartSaver, and installation and maintenance company, CardioService.
The device has already been installed in some stores, while other outlets will set up the life-saving equipment in the coming weeks.
'An Instant Success'
Pierre Thomas of SPAR Le Roeulx said, “We launched our fundraising campaign with a fun video on social media. That was an instant success!
“Thanks to the generous contributions of our customers and local businesses and associations, after just three days we collected enough money to buy a device for our store. And a week later, even for a second device.”
Installed on store exteriors, AEDs are accessible day and night, seven days a week, for all residents, Colruyt added.
In Belgium, about 10,000 to 11,000 people suffer a sudden cardiac arrest away from hospitals each year, according to figures from the Belgian Resuscitation Council.
Data from Federal Healthcare Knowledge Centre from 2017 reveals that 17-30% of cardiac arrests occurred in a public place.
The use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) increases the chance of survival of the victim.
'A Fantastic Result'
“We wanted to give something back to the neighbourhood and so we immediately supported this initiative,” said entrepreneur Wim Ameys of SPAR Sint-Genesius-Rode and Spar Halle.
“The campaign was particularly successful in Sint-Genesius-Rode, thanks to the Red Cross. We raised over €3,500 in that store, a fantastic result. With that, we financed the purchase of the device and donated the rest to the local Red Cross branch,” Ameys added.
© 2021 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
