Proact hosts world’s largest first aid lesson
A new world record for the largest first aid lesson was set at the Proact Stadium on Friday 20th May when 1,795 people learned essential lifesaving skills.
The event was organised by the Community Save a Life Scheme and Bolsover District Council, with support from Chesterfield FC, the British Heart Foundation, Rotary International and Inner Wheel.
Children from a number of local schools were joined on the pitch by residents of the town to beat the previous record figure of 1,700, set in Abu Dhabi three years ago.
The participants watched videos demonstrating key lifesaving skills before carrying out their newly-learned first aid methods on the pitch to hone them.
Dr Cheryle Berry, one of the organisers, expressed her delight at the achievement. She said: ”This is a dream come true for all of us and I’m particularly proud of all the children. It was like waiting for your exam results all over again and my knees were trembling as we waited for the numbers to be announced!
“As soon as the numbers were said there was huge euphoria and pride, because this will mean a lot. We wanted to give the football club a lovely birthday present for their 150th year.
“We also wanted to give Chesterfield a boost because it’s a town that deserves to be put on the map and we feel that in our little way we’ve done that.”
The attempt was overseen and verified by Glenn Pollard – an official Guinness World Records adjudicator – who gave his observations after confirming that a new record had been set.
He said: “I had been working with the organisation team leading up to the event and explaining what I would be looking for. Right from the very start, I got a real sense of the organisation that had gone into it.
“I was overwhelmed by the organisation and the hard work and I have to say that it is one of the best organised events I have been to.
“This is about a Guinness World Records title, but it’s also about training people in first aid. If one person is able to save a life on the street as a result of what they have learned, then it’s been worth it. The certificate is the icing on the cake for what they’ve achieved.”
Images courtesy of Tina Jenner.
