August 14, 2011

Shakin’ Stevens supports our ELS campaign

Shakin StevensMusic legend Shakin’ Stevens is supporting our campaign with Resuscitation Council UK and other organisations to ensure every child leaves school knowing Emergency Life Support (ELS) skills.

Shakin’ Stevens, who is best known for his Eighties No 1 hits 'This Ole House' and 'Green Door', suffered a cardiac arrest a year ago. He was saved only by the quick thinking of his partner, Sue Davies, who called the emergency services and, with guidance from the phone operator, carried out life-saving CPR.

This is our chance to create a nation of lifesavers

Shakin’ Stevens said: “Teaching children these vital skills at a young age is important. Someone can have a heart attack at any age, that person may only have so much time, so if there’s a chance to be able to help people in distress we should take it. People need to be more aware. It’s something that’s compulsory in schools in other parts of Europe and it should be here, too. Because you never know when you might need it.’

Our head of Policy and Advocacy, Maura Gillespie said: “It’s fantastic that Shakin’ Stevens is supporting our campaign. ELS skills take just two hours for pupils to learn. Two hours, repeated each year until they leave school, to equip every young person with the gift of knowing how to save a life.

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