I AM delighted to share the success of St John Ambulance’s 2024 Save a Life September campaign.

This year, nearly 320,000 people – more than six times our original target – took the opportunity to engage with our campaign in person, online or by requesting a first aid guide. The techniques taught included CPR, how to treat someone who is choking, and how to manage a severe bleed. These vital skills empower people with the ability to save a life in an emergency, making our community safer and more resilient.

Readers can now participate in this year's Restart A Heart initiative, a campaign run in partnership with Resuscitation Council UK. As with Save a Life September, we are arranging free-to-attend face-to-face and online training sessions around the country to complement the existing first aid advice and videos on our website. During this month we are also focusing more on health inequalities and first aid specific to women. Readers can find out more at sja.org.uk/press-centre/campaigns/restart-a-heart-day

We encourage everyone to take advantage of these opportunities to learn lifesaving skills.

Thank you for your continued support.

Carl Makins, head of community education, St John Ambulance