Stevenage pupils learn CPR after teacher's sister saved

Children at St Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary School were excited to learn life saving skills

A Stevenage teacher whose sister was saved by a woman performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has arranged for her pupils to learn the technique. 

Kay Rush crashed into two parked cars in the town while having a heart attack on 13 April last year and was helped by a school crossing patrol officer's first aid skills.

Ms Rush's sister Elaine Glover set up the CPR workshop for Year 5 pupils at Stevenage's St Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary School.

The teacher said the children were excited to learn the skills after she shared her sister's story.

She said: "They all listened and really concentrated, they all practised the skills they were being taught, I know how thrilled they were to have this workshop"

Kay Rush (left) attended the workshop at the school where her sister Elaine Glover (right) is a teacher

Michelle D'Arcy, who had performed the CPR on Ms Rush and had learnt the life saving skill herself at school, attended Friday's workshop.

"Every school should make a point of booking these workshops. It's vital for the children to learn these skills," she said.

"The day has been amazing, the children have learnt so much."

Ms Glover said: 'Without the training that Michelle received at school, my sister Kay would not be here today'

Ms Rush also attended and said she was impressed watching the children learn how to put somebody into the recovery position and check people's breathing.

She said: "It was quite emotional watching them because it brought back what somebody did for me.

"Hopefully they will go away and use it if they need to in the future."

The workshop was set up to mark February being Heart Month, although Ms Glover believes the courses are important enough for other schools to run at any time.