University of Brighton students showed how to save hearts and lives on Valentine’s Day with a 24-hour CPR marathon to raise money for our lifesaving charity.
The event ran from 9am on Friday 14 February to 9am on Saturday 15 February and saw students and staff participating in a continuous CPR session while also raising almost £6K for KSS. Many students wore red at the event, as part of our ‘Wear Red in Feb’ campaign to raise extra extra funds and awareness.
During the marathon, which took place inside the University of Brighton’s Paramedic Science Suite Paramedic Science students gave training in CPR on special mannequins to University staff and students.
The students also generated valuable awareness of our work as the event was widely covered in the media including reports on BBC and ITV.
The 24-hour sponsored marathon was the brainchild of Paramedic Science student Emily Sammut, who came up with the idea after seeing KSS in action while on a placement with us as part of her course.
Emily said: “Many of us, even as students, have had the opportunity to work alongside KSS on missions and it’s clear how crucial they are as a resource. KSS is largely funded by donations and so we wanted to give back to them so they can continue to do the amazing work they do.”
“It has been a goal of mine to set up an event with the aim of bringing together the three paramedic cohorts at Brighton to support an amazing cause. It has been lovely to see us join forces and work to create this outstanding event which grew bigger and better than I ever imagined and now includes the whole university.
“Attempting to complete continuous chest compressions over the 24-hour period was daunting, but it is of vital importance that we raise awareness of the lifesaving difference early recognition and CPR can make in saving lives. I am ever so thankful to everyone who supported me to make this happen, and to the students and staff who took part.
As well as raising funds for KSS, the students were raising awareness about the importance of learning CPR, something we are passionate about at KSS. Last October for Restart a Heart Day we trained over 80,000 people in how to do CPR with a series of online and in-person events.
Over 80% of cardiac arrests happen in the home, but without immediate application of lifesaving measures such as CPR and defibrillation only one in ten survive. Having someone who can administer CPR and start defibrillation while waiting for the emergency services to arrive can dramatically increase the chances of survival.
Ruby Hunt, our Sussex Community Fundraiser, said: “On behalf of Team KSS, I’d like to thank everyone at the University of Brighton for a really great event increasing awareness about the importance of learning CPR and raising vital funds to support the lifesaving work of KSS. As an independent charity we depend on public support. Thanks to your donations we are able to continue flying and saving lives.”
Anyone wishing to sponsor the students on their marathon 24 hour CPR can still do so on the event JustGiving page.
