On 12th May 2015 our son Bradley Olde, who was just 20 at the time, went out jogging and collapsed with a cardiac arrest. He had stopped breathing for approximately 8 minutes when a neighbour passed who knew first aid procedure and applied CPR until an air ambulance arrived which took Brad directly to Plymouth Hospital. He suffered an hypoxic brain injury, was in hospital for 4 months and is now on the road to recovery. Because of this event it made us aware of cardiac arrest in the young and also the need for people to be made aware of how important it is to know general first aid and CPR.

On the 24th January we held a life saving day in our local village hall which incorporated the arrival of the community defibrillator which the local football club campaigned for. Over 100 people attended to which we did two sessions. It incorporated a video and presentation from a paramedic, Charlotte for Martyn Luckett Trust, Bradley and myself. Then it was hands on learning how to use a defibrillator, CPR on dummies with the help of the local lifeguards, blood pressure checks then tea and cakes. The feedback was amazing and altogether we raised £1000.

Sharon Olde