Everyone in Wales should be able to give CPR in an emergency.

That’s the view of Bobbie Allen of Cardiff’s Ajuda Foundation, which is training young people in schools and community groups in the basics of CPR, with some help from Tata Steel subsdiary UKSE. So far 2000 Welsh youngsters have taken part in its Restart a Heart programme, including Year Six pupils at Bryn Celyn Primary in Cardiff who found the session fascinating and rewarding.

“I am convinced that everybody in Wales should ultimately have the skills to deal with an emergency and deliver CPR,” says Bobbie, Project Co-ordinator. “The chance of survival from a heart attack is extremely low without CPR and defibrillation, but this can rise to as much as 74% of survival with early intervention, so this is an essential life skill we all need.”

She said the cost was around £10 per individual, and this was being met by a range of generous sponsors and supporters of all kinds around Wales, and that contributions were always welcome.

UKSE has donated £2000 towards the programme which has been running for two years visiting schools, community groups, sports clubs and other venues. The donation comes from UKSE’s Community Support Fund which helps local groups around Wales and particularly steel communities, which form the fabric of society.

Andrea Rogerson-Hewett of UKSE said: ‘We are delighted to support this excellent programme which gives people the confidence to come to the aid of others and can often save lives.

“The enthusiasm of the pupils here is fantastic and they are learning essential life skills and gaining knowledge. This is exactly the sort of initiative our Community Support Fund was set up for.”

Year Six teacher at Bryn Celyn Michelle Zatac said the visit had been a great success with pupils and parents alike. “These are really important life skills which are an excellent addition to the curriculum, and we have had a lot of positive feedback from the parents as well as the children,” she said.