Over 16,000 people have been trained in crucial lifesaving skills since BBC Radio Manchester launched the ‘Three Ways To Save A Life’ campaign to mark the fifth anniversary of the Manchester Arena terror attack.
The local BBC radio station partnered up with St John Ambulance last year to train members of the public on vital life saving techniques. These included cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and how to use a defibrillator, how to treat severe bleeding, and what to do when someone is choking.
The Manchester Arena Inquiry recommended the roll out of more first aid to members of the public. St John Ambulance has since delivered first aid sessions across all ten boroughs of Greater Manchester, with the aim of training as many people as possible.
Thousands of volunteers, including MPs and well know celebrities like former Emmerdale actor and I’m A Celebrity winner Danny Miller, fellow former Emmerdale stars Kris Mochrie and his partner Max Parker, and Hollyoaks’ actors Ashley Taylor Dawson and Sarah Jayne Dunn all took the opportunity to get trained.
Using a combination of public drop-in sessions, face-to-face sessions, virtual training online and on social media platforms, 16,120 people are now equipped with life saving techniques.
Figen Murray, the mother of Martyn Hett, who died in the attack, championed the BBC Radio Manchester’s campaign and said: “I’m thrilled to say that 16,120 people in Greater Manchester now have the skills to save a life. There’s a good chance in Manchester now, if something happens to you, where you do need someone with those skills, somebody now near you, knows those skills and can save you.”
Dr Lynn Thomas, medical director at St John Ambulance, said: “Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to learn these simple lifesaving skills, and to our volunteers and staff for their commitment to giving people the confidence to deal with health emergencies. Born from a tragedy, the legacy of this joint campaign with BBC Radio Manchester can only be positive with thousands more people understanding essential first aid.”
Kate Squire, the BBC’s senior head of production for the North West and North East said: “This has been a brilliant campaign that people living in Greater Manchester have really taken to their hearts. More than 16,000 of our residents now have the essential skills to save lives, not only in case a tragedy like this ever strikes our city again, but also to help those who are in need on their everyday lives.”
The BBC Radio Manchester campaign has now come to an end but free training will continue with St John Ambulance across Greater Manchester.
