Newton Mearns residents urged to learn CPR on Restart a Heart Day

Hosted by Newton Mearns Community First Responders (CFR) group, the training sessions will take place at the Avenue Shopping Centre between 10am and 4pm.

Restart a Heart Day is an annual event that aims to help people learn to perform CPR, so they feel confident to act in an emergency. The campaign is led by Resuscitation Council UK, in partnership with Save a Life for Scotland, St John Ambulance, the British Heart Foundation, British Red Cross and all UK ambulance services.

Calum Kerr, Newton Mearns Community First Responder Group Co-ordinator, said: “As a group, we respond to potentially life-threatening emergencies such as a cardiac arrest or seizure in the vital first few minutes before an ambulance crew arrives. We see firsthand the importance of CPR and are passionate about providing training to support our community to be confident in this live-saving skill.

“Learning CPR is quick and easy to do and it provides a huge benefit to those in need, so come along on Restart a Heart Day to learn how to become a lifesaver.”

Michael Dickson OBE, Scottish Ambulance Service Chief Executive, said: “On average only 1 in 10 people survive a cardiac arrest and every minute that CPR isn’t received reduces the likelihood of survival by 10%. Learning CPR is a vital skill that anyone can learn.

“Our CFR groups are highly valued across Scotland, and we are delighted that Newton Mearns CFRs are further supporting their community by putting on this free CPR training event as part of Restart a Heart Day.”