More than 300 people are now CPR trained thanks to our Learn to be a Lifesaver campaign.
The joint campaign, spearheaded by BBC Radio Suffolk‘s Lesley Dolphin and supported by the EADT, looks to train as many people as possible in the lifesaving skills at venues throughout the county.
Plans are now afoot to extend the good work the campaign has started, with a team looking to set up a session a month across the county for the rest of the year.
Nigel Donkin, fundraising manager at the British Heart Foundation, said: “It has been brilliant so far.
“We have had a full turnout at all three events now and have just tiptoed over 300 people trained in total.
“We are full now for the Bury St Edmunds and Felixstowe sessions.
“The hot news is a group of us will continue this and host a session once a month somewhere on Suffolk.
“So every year there should be 12 sessions taking place across the county.
“We already have Newmarket, Hadleigh and Haverhill all chomping at the bit to get involved.
“The campaign’s legacy will continue.”
Mr Donkin said not only did the groups who had trained in CPR feel empowered by their new lifesaving knowledge, they also had a good time learning the skills.
He added: “I go back to my school days with it - I always found if there is an element of entertainment or a light touch to the training, it sinks in better.
“There are a few bad jokes and puns from me, which elicits the normal groans.
“We have had 100% positive feedback from everyone that has attended.
“They have really enjoyed it.
“It has lifted their confidence so that they wouldn’t walk past someone in need and have sufficient knowledge to get stuck in and help someone. “We now have 300 more lifesavers in Suffolk.
“At every event so far we’ve had someone turn up who had been revived using CPR.
“I think it is such an important campaign and it won’t be long do doubt until someone on our training will have an occasion to use it.”
If you live in Ipswich and would like to train in CPR see here.
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