Lifesaver's day in Southampton

Volunteers from St John Ambulance Hampshire will be sharing their skills, welcoming new members and raising money in Southampton on Saturday 14 March 2009.

Volunteer put skills into practice

They will be joined by the charity’s mascot Bertie Badger and will be demonstrating first aid in The Mall, Marlands shopping centre and carrying out street collections in Above Bar, Below Bar and Lordshill Shopping District.

Among those taking part will be Christopher Worth from Shirley who put his lifesaving skills into practice on his 21^st birthday in December 2008.

Christopher carried out CPR – Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation – on an elderly man and thanks to this early intervention he survived the cardiac arrest.

Christopher and mum Jane found the man collapsed in Regents Park Road, Southampton. 

Natasha Randall, who is organising Saturday’s awareness day, said: ‘Southampton City Council and The Mall Marlands have provided us with a fantastic opportunity to showcase our skills and meet local people from our community. Some may even become new volunteers!

‘St John Ambulance offers an array of opportunities for anyone from the age of five upwards. We all volunteer within our communities, we learn vital lifesaving skills and as first aiders we have the chance to volunteer at football matches, concerts and other exciting events.’

In Southampton, St John Ambulance meets in Bitterne and Millbrook and runs Badger units for the five to ten year olds, Cadet units for children aged from 10 to 16 and adult groups.

It also has a thriving student section – LINKS – and a specialised Community Support team providing a regular bathing service for the elderly and disabled people.