St Andrew’s First Aid on the look-out for new volunteers

WOULD you like to learn a new skill in 2018?

St Andrew’s First Aid have launched a Scotland-wide campaign for new volunteers.

The charity is looking for 250-300 people to sign up and learn how to save a life.

The call-out follows the news that St Andrew’s will be the official first aid supplier for the 2018 European Championships in Glasgow, with 100 volunteers set to provide cover for the prestigious sporting event.

Currently the organisation has a 1100-strong team of adult volunteers and over 250 youth volunteers who attend 1800 events each year.

The team donate 67,000 hours of their time each year at fixtures like football matches, music concerts and charity events, helping to make sure that Scotland’s general public receive the highest standards in first aid support.

While the campaign is aiming to recruit volunteers from all over Scotland, there’s a particular need for helpers from Edinburgh and the central belt.

Stuart Callison, chief executive of St Andrew’s First aid, said this is an ‘exciting time’ to join the charity.

He said: “This is an exciting time to be a volunteer with St Andrew’s First Aid, with 2018 gearing up to be a great year.

“Aside from learning life saving skills and techniques, there are so many other benefits to volunteering. These include meeting new people, helping your local community, developing life skills, achieving recognised certificates and training other people in how to save a life themselves.”

“Training to become an event first aider takes about four days, usually spread over a number of weekends. Courses will run at venues across Scotland from the middle of February through to April. To be considered for a place, we need those interested to complete our online application form as soon as they can.”

MSP Johann Lamont is working alongside the organisation is encourage more people to pick up first aid skills.

She said: “There are fewer skills more important than knowing how to save a life. As a volunteer with St Andrew’s First Aid, you will be trained in a wide range of first aid skills and supported in having the confidence to use them. It’s a simple solution – more lives could be saved if more people had the skills to help save them.”

For people looking to become a volunteer with St Andrew’s First Aid, more information can be found at www.firstaid.org.uk/volunteering. Applications are now being taken and will be considered on individual merit.