A local community group has benefited from a “Save a Life’’ first aid session organised by the British Red Cross in partnership with the North West Ambulance Service’s (NWAS) skilled Community First Responders (CFRs).

Members of the Silverdale Emergency Resilience Group (SERG) enjoyed the session in the Gaskell Hall with the local CFR Field Trainers teaching the most vital lifesaving skills including CPR, the recovery position, how to use a defibrillator, and how to deal with bleeding, choking, a stroke and a heart attack.

Jenny Webster from the Silverdale Emergency Resilience Group said: “Since we formed the group in early 2025 to implement the Village Emergency Plan first published by Silverdale Parish Council in 2021, we have noted the need for first aid training, especially for our Street Wardens.

“In the case of a major incident where the professional emergency services may be delayed in reaching our village, our Street Wardens would go door to door checking on residents, so good knowledge of basic first aid is highly beneficial.

“We were delighted to be approached by the British Red Cross, a fellow member of the Lancashire Resilience Forum, with the idea of running a 'Save a Life' training session for SERG right here in Silverdale in partnership with the NWAS CFRs. For some of us it had been many years since we did any first aid training.

“As well as updating our skills and increasing our confidence, the trainers made the session very enjoyable, and we are eager to invite them back to host another session for us.

“Huge thanks to the Red Cross and the NWAS Community First Responders for their great support of our community emergency group, helping us to achieve the aims of our Emergency Plan and keep residents safe through better resilience.’’

David Taylor from the British Red Cross said: “The Red Cross and NWAS have an excellent relationship, and this evening was a fantastic example of partners coming together to benefit their communities.’’