Life-saving neighbour inspires 1,100 to learn CPR

A nurse who carried out CPR on her neighbour when he went into cardiac arrest has inspired more than 1,000 people to learn the life-saving skill.

Clare Whitehouse, a mother of two from Thorpe St Andrew, near Norwich, was able to use her training to help her neighbour John, but was "conscious that people did not know what to do" outside of a medical setting.

She pledged to get 50 people in Thorpe to learn CPR - a target that she has surpassed, as she enrolled four schools and several community clubs to learn the technique.

"We are now at 1,111, but we are not stopping there," said Mrs Whitehouse. "It's been brilliant."

In August 2023, Mrs Whitehouse was at home with her daughters, Eva, five, and 10-month-old Robyn, when they heard a knock on the door from John's wife Hazel to say he had collapsed.

"We had to run over to try and help, and John was about to go into cardiac arrest," explained Mrs Whitehouse.

"I'd taught CPR to Eva before, but I put her in charge of colouring and cuddles, and Hazel looked after Robyn - who was asleep on the sofa - so I was able to concentrate on John.

"It's very, very different being in a hospital doing CPR compared to being in the community, where you are on your own. But at least I had the knowledge to know what to do."

Before the ambulance arrived to assist John, who survived the incident, Mrs Whitehouse needed another neighbour to get a defibrillator from the nearby Sir George Morse Park.

"She was absolutely amazing, but I was also very conscious that people didn't know what to do," Mrs Whitehouse said.

She added that was where the idea came from to train people how to administer CPR.

Mrs Whitehouse, with the help of East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA), organised free sessions to learn the technique at the bowls club in Sir George Morse Park, led by EAAA's CPR trainer Simone Black.

"We got Norwich table tennis club involved, and then the schools, who have been amazing," added Mrs Whitehouse.

All pupils at Dussindale Primary School in Thorpe have received CPR training, with three other local schools signed up.

Mrs Whitehouse said part of her mission was to make sure all local defibrillators were placed on exterior walls. The defibrillators at Dussindale Primary and at the town hall in Fitzmaurice Park will be relocated outside soon.

"Even if you haven't attended training, don't think you can't do it - ring 999 and the call handler will talk you through it," explained Mrs Black.

"The training helps with the confidence."

Josh Lawrence, EAAA's community training manager, said Mrs Whitehouse's achievement was "incredible".

"We're grateful to have people like Claire - it's a real pleasure to hear stories like this," he added.

EAAA said it offered free sessions in the community, which can be booked via its website.

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