Inspiring fundraiser Cody, 14, and your YEP shortlisted for national first aid awards

A teenage community fundraiser and a potentially lifesaving YEP campaign have been given national recognition by St John Ambulance (SJA).
Cody Hartley donating a defibrillator to her former school, Thorpe Primary School. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.Cody Hartley donating a defibrillator to her former school, Thorpe Primary School. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.
Cody Hartley donating a defibrillator to her former school, Thorpe Primary School. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.

Cody Hartley, 14, from Thorpe on the Leeds-Wakefield boundary, has been shortlisted in the Community Hero category of the charity’s 2016 Everyday Heroes Awards after raising money for six defibrillators.

The teen set about fundraising to put the lifesaving machines, known as AEDs, into local schools three years ago after hearing about a 12-year-old schoolboy who died from an undetected heart condition.

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She has so far raised more than £6,000 from sponsored events and sales, supplying primary schools, a secondary school and her Wakefield karate club with equipment that can restart the heart.

A St John Ambulance training session staged as part of the YEP's First Aid For All campaign. Picture by Gerard Binks.A St John Ambulance training session staged as part of the YEP's First Aid For All campaign. Picture by Gerard Binks.
A St John Ambulance training session staged as part of the YEP's First Aid For All campaign. Picture by Gerard Binks.

The YEP’s First Aid For All campaign, which succeeded in training 500 residents in first aid, is also a finalist for an Everyday Hero Award.

Sheree Hartley, Cody’s mum, said: “I don’t think there’s any stopping her now. I’m unbelievably proud of her.”

Karen Hyams, headteacher at Hilltop Primary in West Ardsley which has recently benefited from the teen’s fundraising, added: “Cody is more than deserving of an award – what an incredible inspiration she is.”

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Other Yorkshire heroes on the shortlist include Halifax AED campaigner, Lizzie Jones, the widow of Keighley Cougars and Wales rugby player Danny Jones, who died from a heart condition while on the pitch.

A St John Ambulance training session staged as part of the YEP's First Aid For All campaign. Picture by Gerard Binks.A St John Ambulance training session staged as part of the YEP's First Aid For All campaign. Picture by Gerard Binks.
A St John Ambulance training session staged as part of the YEP's First Aid For All campaign. Picture by Gerard Binks.

Simon Dunn, regional director for SJA, said: “The actions of our finalists prove that first aid really can be the difference between life and death.”

TV star Myleene Klass will host this year’s St John Ambulance Everyday Heroes Awards in London on September 7. Visit sja.org.uk/everydayheroes.