The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
FIRST AID KIDS
Campaign to create an army of lifesavers gets thumbs up from Sturgeon
Nicola Sturgeon has backed The Courier’s First Aid Kids campaign after leaders from across the political divide joined our call to create an army of lifesavers.
The first minister said she supported the goal of introducing regular first aid lessons for all ages in Scottish schools.
“I am very happy to support the principles of The Courier’s First Aid Kids campaign.
“We don’t have a mandatory curriculum in Scotland but it’s really important that we encourage schools to make young people aware of the importance of first aid and equip young people with the skills they need.
“So I commend The Courier for this campaign and wish it every success.” The breakthrough came on day three of the campaign, which has received widespread support from other politicians and members of the public.
The Courier’s campaign to create an army of lifesavers hit a new high yesterday as Nicola Sturgeon gave it her backing.
The first minister said she “supports the principles” of the campaign of introducing regular first aid lessons for all ages in schools.
Pressure has been mounting on the Scottish Government to implement the policy as politicians from across the divide got behind the movement.
Scottish Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw, Scottish Labour chief Richard Leonard, Green co-convener Patrick Harvey and Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie all offered their support for the campaign.
Dozens of parliamentarians added their voices at the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday.
School pupils in England will receive lessons in lifesaving from September as part of an initiative to boost cardiac arrest survival rates. Statistics estimate chances of survival could triple if the policy is implemented.
The Courier wants all schoolchildren in Scotland to be equipped with the skills to save a life.
Speaking in Dundee at the opening of the city’s new £32 million Regional Performance Centre yesterday, Ms Sturgeon said: “I am very happy to support the principles of The Courier’s First Aid Kids campaign.
“We don’t have a mandatory curriculum in Scotland but it’s really important that we encourage schools to make young people aware of the importance of first aid and equip young people with the skills they need. So I commend The Courier for this campaign and wish it every success.”
Over the week, the campaign has shared stories from families who know only too well the difference first aid knowledge can make.
They included the parents of four-year-old Cameron Gilmour, who has cerebral palsy and is non-verbal. They said he would not be here today if it wasn’t for heroic first-aider Sam Hampton who rushed to his rescue after a tonsil infection blocked his airways.
Following Ms Sturgeon’s declaration, one local SNP MP added his weight to the calls.
Pete Wishart, MP for Perth and North Perthshire, said: “I’m delighted to back The Courier’s First Aid Kids campaign and I am really pleased that it is receiving widespread attention across the political spectrum.
“Politicians may disagree on some things, but I think we can all agree that teaching pupils lifesaving skills is a very worthwhile cause.
“You just never know when first aid skills will be needed and having this taught at schools could quite literally be a life saver.”