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University begins CPR-a-thon for charity

BBC A group picture of paramedic students dressed in a black T-shirt and green trousers. The are all smiling positioned outside a blue balloon archBBC
Money raised will be donated to Heartstart Malvern and the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity (MAAC)

Staff and students at a university have started a 24-hour CPR-a-thon to highlight the life-saving skill and raise money for charity.

Corridors at the University of Worcester have been transformed to host the event, which started on Monday and will see dozens of people performing CPR on a mannequin.

Student Amy Shadbolt said she hoped it would show people how simple it was to administer CPR.

"A lot of people think it's just for paramedics, but actually early intervention from members of the public is key in ensuring good survival rates in out of hospital cardiac arrests," she said.

"The aim of today is to fundraise for the charities, but also to teach people life-saving skills, like CPR, and how to use a defib.

"I'm always surprised at how many people don't know how to do it and how simple it is."

A girl with brown hair in a claw clip is demonstrating how to do CPR. She is wearing a black shirt and green trousers. She is pushing down on the chest of a CPR mannequin
The CPR-a-thon will end on Tuesday morning

Fellow student paramedic Elvie said support from the local community had been brilliant.

"We have gotten a donated defibrillator for the event, we've also had multiple local organisations donate raffle prizes," she said.

Funds raised with the event will be donated to Heartstart Malvern and the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity (MAAC).

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