Forres' next generation of lifesavers

A company is looking at sponsorship opportunities to train the next generation of lifesavers in Moray.

Grampian Training Services has been providing first aid training in several Moray schools for a number of years, including Greenwards, Elgin East and Rothes primaries.

However, the coranavirus pandemic has put this arrangement at risk, which is why it is now promoting its Sponsor a Class scheme.

Company manager Tom Malcolm explained: "We go to about 90 schools in the North East annually and train the P5-P7 pupils.

"We've had a good number of excellent stories over the years.

"Just last Christmas a little girl saved her grandmother by employing the skills she'd been taught.

"To my mind, all children should be taught first aid as a matter of course.

"However, the fact is there's no central funding for first aid training in schools, so the cost falls on the individual parent teacher associations.

"And, unfortunately, due to the pandemic the PTAs have lost their summer fairs which raise most of their funds."

Grampian Training Services, which is based in Dyce, has come up with an idea to get round the problem.

Its 'Sponsor a Class' scheme is designed to help both schools as well as local businesses.

Mr Malcolm said: "For each class of children that a business agrees to sponsor we will provide them with two free places for their staff on an HSE-approved emergency first aid at work course.

"Every child in that class will also get a certificate with the company's logo on it to take home to show their parents and grandparents."

The Sponsor a Class scheme will cost a company £20 per month.

To find out more, contact enquiries@grampiantrainingservices.co.uk

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