Castle Point MP Rebecca Harris is urging people to join the campaign to dramatically increase the number of people trained in life-saving CPR and help create a Nation of Lifesavers.

More than 30,000people suffer an out of hospital cardiac arrest in the UK every year – 80% of which occur in the home, often in front of family members and loved ones.

But less than one in ten people survive, partly because not enough people have the skills and confidence to perform CPR.

The British Heart Foundation says that the Nation of Lifesavers initiative could save around 5,000 additional lives a year in the UK. It is calling for CPR and public access defibrillator (PAD) awareness to be taught in all secondary schools. Since the launch of the campaign on October 16, more than 5,000 people have already signed the petition to make these skills part of the curriculum.

Attending an event in Parliament last week to promote the initiative, Rebecca was joined by Samantha Hobbs, who at 14 helped to save her mum’s life by performing CPR. With her dad, they kept her mum alive until the emergency services arrived and could get her heart beating again with a single electric shock from a defibrillator.

Samantha had been trained in CPR so she knew what to do. Now she’s campaigning to raise awareness amongst others so that more people are trained and more lives can be saved.

Samantha said: “I was only able to help save my mum’s life because I’d been trained in CPR. I don’t know what might have happened if I hadn’t. We’re really pleased to be able to support the BHF’s Nation of Lifesavers campaign and spread the message about the importance of CPR. I hope more lives are saved.”

Rebecca said: “I am fully supportive of the Nation of Lifesavers campaign. Having met Samantha and her family, it is clear just how important this initiative is. Cardiac arrest survival rates in the UK fall way behind survival rates in other countries where CPR training is part of the curriculum.

“By joining the Nation of Lifesavers I want to see every child in Castle Point finish school equipped with the necessary skills to respond in a medical emergency.

“CPR is an important skill and just 30 minutes of training could save someone’s life. I am calling on all secondary schools and community groups in Castle Point to support the BHF in creating a Nation of Lifesavers and join the cause by visiting bhf.org.uk/lifesavers to order your free Training Kit.”