Teach f irst aid in every school, says acid heroine Katie
As lifesavers are honoured at MoS-backed St John Ambulance awards...
TV PRESENTER and acid- attack survivor Katie Piper has called for first aid to be taught in every school following a ‘shocking rise’ in the number of acid attacks on the nation’s streets.
Speaking at The Mail on Sundaybacked Everyday Heroes awards, the campaigner joined top NHS officials, celebrities and the bereaved families of those who could have been saved by first aid to make an emotional plea to the Government to ensure all children receive the crucial training.
Katie, who was left with severe facial burns after her former boyfriend orchestrated the attack in 2008, said she knew ‘from personal experience’ how important it was to know what to do in an emergency.
She instinctively splashed water on her face from a nearby toilet. But only now, after the number of acid attacks in London doubled in just three years, has NHS guidance been issued recommending rinsing such burns as a first crucial step.
At the star-studded event for St John Ambulance, she paid tribute to the bravery of members of the public during ‘truly terrible incidents’ such as the Manchester Arena bomb, the London Bridge attacks and acid attacks.
She said: ‘ When we see the incredible actions people take during these tragic events, we’re reminded how vital it is not only to learn first aid and tell our loved ones to learn first aid, but also to encourage our schools to teach it and our Government to ensure it is featured on the national curriculum.’
The call was backed by NHS England’s former medical director, Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, and celebrities including Girls Aloud singer Kimberley Walsh, Dragon’s Den star Duncan Bannatyne and Michelle Dewberry, winner of The Apprentice.
Prof Keogh, who learned first aid as a child, said: ‘I would love to support a campaign to ensure first aid is taught in schools. It would be good for children, good for families and it would be good for the NHS and our society.’
Kimberley Walsh revealed that she had learned first aid and that her three-year-old son, Bobby, knew how to dial 999 in an emergency. ‘ You underestimate what kids can do,’ she said. ‘As a mum, I know it’s really, really important.’
As Britain’ s leading first-aid charity, St John Ambulance teaches first- aid skills to about 400,000 people across the UK every year. The charity’s glittering awards ceremony at the Hilton Bankside hotel on September 28 paid tribute to ordinary members of the public who courageously administered first aid to help others. At the event, 14-year-old Caine Wildman was named the Guy Evans Young Hero, in a vote by readers of The Mail on Sunday.
Caine, from Bilston, near Wolverhampton, was praised for his bravery when he found his father Craig collapsed on the sofa and not breathing. Doctors later diagnosed him with double pneumonia – and said Caine’s calm actions and firstaid skills had saved his life.