AN Ilkley-based scheme designed to help heart attack victims has enjoyed a successful first year.

The Rotary Club of Ilkley and the West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service (WYMAS) joined forces in September last year.

The aim was to bring emergency life support training to Ilkley as part of a British Heart Foundation initiative to promote community awareness in how to help victims - and up to now about 100 volunteers have taken part.

Philip Chinque of Ilkley Rotary Club, the Heartstart co-ordinator, said: "The past year has been busy but very rewarding. I am glad that we now have an organisation which can build on our success and that we will be able to do much more in

offering emergency life support training to those who will accept it."

Mr Chinque said an important breakthrough was being able to 'train trainers to train others.'

"Having our local trainers would enable us to offer training to a wider area than Ilkley and enable us to ensure that we could go into schools during

normal hours to demonstrate for children and teachers what they could do to help heart attack

victims," he said.

WYMAS undertook to provide training for local volunteers as instructors in emergency life support techniques. In May, seven residents were approved as instructors on behalf of the British Heart Foundation and as community trainers for WYMAS.

Mr Chinque was delighted when he received a request from Clevedon House School for training - for pupils and teachers.

WYMAS paramedic Peter Grasby said: "Teaching the children was much easier than I had thought possible.

" I was extremely impressed with how quickly they grasped what we were saying and were able to demonstrate very good techniques in coronary pulmonary resuscitation."

The scheme is now spreading beyond Ilkley's borders. Successful sessions have been held in Burley-in-Wharfedale and inquiries received from Addingham and Skipton.

Mr Chinque said: "Some local schools have been reluctant to ask for training but they have a responsibility for their pupils and I hope they will be encouraged by the lead taken by Clevedon House School."

"Looking to the future, it is our intention to obtain for the community defibrillator equipment which will greatly enhance the survival rates for those who receive emergency life support from our volunteers," said Mr Chinque.

l Inquiries about the scheme can be made to Mr Robert Auty, Heartstart Administrator, 59 Sandholme Drive, Burley-in-Wharfedale LS29 7RG.

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