Lessons in lifesaving teach 1,700 Leeds children vital first aid skills

More than 8,000 Yorkshire school children have been given lessons in lifesaving skills this year.

The St John Ambulance charity led special training workshops at 64 schools across the city from January to March thanks to a Character Education grant from the Government.

The free sessions demonstrated vital skills such as how to put someone in the recovery position or give chest compressions, also known as CPR.

Health and social care students at Allerton High School, in Moor Allerton, were among those to take advantage of the training.

Laura Schofield, curriculum team leader at the school, explained that the workshops have helped to inspire students further to pursue careers in health care.

She said: “The students now feel prepared and practised to help with first aid, whether it’s CPR or how to treat someone choking.

“And after hearing some powerful, real life stories from the St John Ambulance trainer, they appreciate the importance of using first aid in everyday situations.”

Across Yorkshire more than 8,000 primary and secondary school pupils were boosted by the initiative, which has also seen scores of schools go on to set up first aid clubs and appoint students and teachers as ‘first aid champions’.

The success of the recent first aid drive follows a partnership between the charity and the YEP, which has seen hundreds of readers undergo lifesaving skills training.

The Character Education grant is also being used by St John Ambulance to support its school resources leading up to the Big First Aid Lesson Live on June 17. TV medic Dr Ranj will host the live streamed session to schools across the country, covering topics such as choking, chest pains, seizures and insect bites.

Schools interested in taking part should visit sja.co.uk/bigfirstaidlesson or call 01924 262726.

First Aid For All

More than 550 people have been taught lifesaving skills thanks to a first aid partnership between the YEP and St John Ambulance.

Hundreds of readers have joined our very own army of first aiders as part of the long-running First Aid For All campaign.

Health chiefs are now hoping to build on its success to ensure that training remains high on the agenda.