Harleen Singh Flora

First aider

As if being a first year finance and accounting degree student is not enough to keep a young man busy, Harleen Singh Flora is also a regular first aid volunteer for St John Ambulance.

Harleen became a volunteer so that he could make a difference in his community and learn first aid. He attends weekly meetings on a Thursday evening at the Southall London Sikh Division.

'First aid training is so important,' comments Harleen. 'You just don't know when you might need it. If an accident was to happen and you didn't know how to help, you'd feel completely useless. You just wouldn't know what to do for the best.'

For Harleen being a first aid volunteer involves spending time with people who he now considers good friends and helping at public events where first aid support is needed.

'The best thing about helping at public events has to be attending huge sporting events, like matches at Lords cricket ground or watching Arsenal at the Emirates stadium, it is so exciting'.

'One of my best memories is meeting Joe Cole at Stamford Bridge. I have also met nearly all of the England cricket team.'

Harleen has also found himself in a situation outside of his volunteering that has required his fast thinking and first aid knowledge.

'A girl collapsed in one of my lectures and began to have an epileptic fit. I protected her head and searched for a medical card and rang the number on there. When the seizure stopped, I put her in the recovery position and waited with her until help arrived. Without first aid training I would not have known what to do and so I am so thankful that I did.'

Harleen plans to continue as a first aid volunteer throughout his studies and following graduation. 'There may be a day where I take my volunteering further and take on more responsibility, but for now I am more than happy to help as a first aider at events and will continue to do so for a long while yet.'