But now older people and those with disabilities at Age Concern Albury-Wodonga can feel more at ease after the donation of a defibrillator to the organisation.

There has been no need to use one before but manager Jodie Hayes said prevention was key.

“It means we have a better chance of responding to an emergency,” she said.

“Working with the aged and people with disabilities, we see the importance of health and safety and risk management,” she said.

Earlier this year the clients received first-aid training and learnt about the benefits of a defibrillator.

“After that, they thought there was a real need for it,” she said.

“We call on our first-aid qualifications quite a bit and there has been the odd time when somebody has been unwell and we’ve called an ambulance.

“We have a defibrillator now and hope we never need to use it.”

Albury North Rotary Club donated $1000 for the defibrillator which costs about $1500. Clients donated the rest.

“It would have been a struggle for us to get the money to buy a defibrillator,” Ms Hayes said.

“It’s exciting in that we’ve been able to do this for the community.”

Ms Hayes said the defibrillator was a long-term asset — “people know we have this service and it gives us more confidence”, she said.