Royal approval for young first aid volunteers
PRINCESS ANNE WATCHES AS CHILDREN LEARN VITAL SKILLS THAT COULD SAVE LIVES
Reporter RUSHING to respond to a potentially life-threatening emergency, Saint John’s Ambulance first aiders need to be able to keep a cool head in a high-pressure situation.
But for one team in Durham, the pressure was even higher this week – as they did their jobs under the watchful eye of the Princess Royal.
And what is even more impressive is that they managed to stay calm and follow their training, with some as young as seven years old.
The emergency was simulated – but the royal audience was very real.
HRH Princess Anne visited the Saint John’s Ambulance HQ, in Meadowfield, Durham, yesterday to see the group’s youngest volunteers in action. She observed the group of young first aiders responding to a simulated ‘major incident’ - in this case, a bicycle race which ended in disaster. The two forces – the ‘badger’ group, aged seven to 10, and the ‘cadet’ group, 10 to 17 – received the royal seal of approval as they tried out their life-saving skills in a realistic scenario. Unit manager, Sheila Thorpe, said: “We are delighted that Her Royal Highness is visiting us. “Around 60 of our young people are involved in this training exercise and they have all worked extremely hard honing the skills they need; first aid, communication, teamwork and leadership. “To have such an important visitor there to see the event is really very special for them.” Sheila Thorpe