Children from North Tyneside learned lifesaving skills, thanks to an initiative by Daren Persson Funeral Services.
The funeral business organised first aid training courses for children in their Wallsend branch. An Emergency First Responder taught sixteen youngsters how to perform CPR on dolls, dress injuries and practice the Heimlich manoeuvre with anti-choking vests in preparation for life-threatening emergencies.
Suzanne Bremner, Regional Administrator of Daren Persson Funeral Services, said: “We feel this is such an important life lesson for children which also builds confidence.
“It was amazing to see how much the children knew and how they interacted with everything without fear.”
Daren Persson Funeral Services supports the British Heart Foundation by inviting funeral guests and families to donate to the organisation in lieu of flowers. This inspired them to raise awareness of how vital first aid is while children wait for emergency services.
Suzanne got in touch with her cousin’s wife Sarah, who recently qualified as an Emergency First Responder, who agreed to run two first aid courses. Suzanne put posters in the branch’s windows encouraging passers-by to sign their children up.
Suzanne said: “We’re very much involved with the community and always look at ways to include our younger adults and schoolchildren.
“Enabling children to recognise and understand what they can do in emergency situations can make a huge difference, especially for single parents and small households.”