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NEAS and British Heart Foundation teach shoppers how to save a life

Metrocentre event raises £6,000

More than 500 shoppers at the Metrocentre in Gateshead attended a recent Healthy Heart event aimed at teaching people how to do CPR.

NEAS Community First Responders from across the North East gave up their time to come along and demonstrate the techniques which could save a life.

With the help of over 40 British Heart Foundation volunteers from across the region, more than £3000 was raised - a figure matched by Barclays Bank, taking the total to over £6000.

Adele Young, NEAS Community Resuscitation Officer, said: "This event has been so successful for all partners involved as we actually got to meet people, get them to take part in practising CPR, advised them on if someone chokes, what they should have in first aid kits at home and in the car.

"People of all ages got involved, which was so rewarding. I must thank our Community First Responders who attend the event and helped out with the CPR training. We are astounded at the generosity of shoppers too, thank you so much".

Gavin Prior, General Manager said 'The Healthy Heart event was a brilliant success and it has been great partnering with British Heart Foundation (BHF) and NEAS.

"We are so pleased with how the event went and training over 500 shoppers and staff on the skills of hands only CPR, as well as raising a huge amount for BHF is a fantastic achievement".

Kevin Fitzpatrick, BHF area development manager for the North East, said: "This was a great opportunity for the BHF to work in partnership with NEAS. We got the heart health message out to many people by combining Hard and Fast training with our heart health education. We also carried out fundraising at the centre and I would like to thank everyone who supported us."

The average footfall for Metrocentre over these days is 64,000 visitors, on average it would be around approximately 190,000 people through the door over the three days.

A Community First Responder is a volunteer who has been recruited and trained to act on behalf of the North East Ambulance Service, responding to emergency calls when dispatched by ambulance control.  They deal with a specific list of emergencies and provide the patient with support and appropriate treatment until an ambulance arrives.