Chariots of Fire is one of Cambridgeshires largest annual charity events. Teams of six each run a 1.7 miles course in relay format. Chariots of Fire is organised and managed by Hewitsons Charitable Trust.

Our project is for EAAA to provide bystander CPR training to lower income communities across Cambridgeshire.

Every year approximately 12,000 people suffer a cardiac arrest whilst at home, work or play in the East of England. Only about 40% of those who suffer a cardiac arrest receive any form of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) before the arrival of the ambulance service and less than 2% have a defibrillator deployed before emergency services arrive.

In June 2018 we launched a new First Aid Training programme to ensure that members of the East Anglian community feel confident in delivering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and using an automated external defibrillator (AED). The training is delivered by one of our Critical Care Paramedics, supported by a small team of specially trained volunteers.

Since starting our 1 hour free Basic Life Support/ CPR and Defibrillator awareness sessions, 2315 members of the local community have attended.

Prior to the delivery of this training approximately 8% of those attending said they would use an AED if it was available. At the end of the session, having seen how simple defibrillators are to operate and having had the opportunity to test their skills on a training model, this rose to 100%.

Until now most of our CPR training programmes have taken place in Norfolk, owing to the success of funding applications in that region. We would like to bring this training to Cambridgeshire communities, especially targeting the economically deprived areas in the region. So, improving the chance of survival amongst those at greater risk and equipping those communities with life-long, lifesaving skills.

For our project we would need:

Additional full-time trainer - £60k

First aid equipment - £20k

500 school children mini/junior medic courses - £7.5k

2000 adult CPR/Defib training places for lower income areas - £10k