Hundreds of schoolchildren have learnt life-saving CPR as part of the British Heart Foundation’s Restart a Heart campaign.

The Comet: Marriotts School Year 8 students participate in the British Heart Foundation's Restart a Heart run by volunteers from private medical firms including Hearts Services, and current and former paramedics. Picture: DANNY LOOMarriotts School Year 8 students participate in the British Heart Foundation's Restart a Heart run by volunteers from private medical firms including Hearts Services, and current and former paramedics. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2018 Archant)

Yesterday more than 500 students at Marriotts School in Stevenage took part in 45-minute training sessions throughout the day, where they learnt vital skills to use if someone is unconscious and not breathing after going into cardiac arrest, including CPR and how to place a casualty in the recovery position.

The sessions were delivered by six medically-trained volunteers, including retired senior ambulance officer Gary Sanderson, who said: “First and foremost it was an honour to be asked to pop along to the school and share my experiences and support the training teams throughout the day.

“Early CPR in a cardiac arrest scenario is a very simple thing to do and it’s vital to enhance the patient’s chance of survival.

“I hope the students will take on board their basic life support awareness session they received, which will ultimately prepare them to help out in the event of a cardiac arrest.”

The Comet: Ambulance service volunteer Gary Sanderson teaches Marriotts School head Bethany Honnor during the British Heart Foundation's Restart a Heart run by volunteer East of England ambulance 999 call handlers. Picture: DANNY LOOAmbulance service volunteer Gary Sanderson teaches Marriotts School head Bethany Honnor during the British Heart Foundation's Restart a Heart run by volunteer East of England ambulance 999 call handlers. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2018 Archant)

Headteacher Beth Honnor said: “Marriotts staff and students were proud to be involved in this fantastic and important event.”

Members of the East of England Ambulance Service also went to Fearnhill School in Letchworth yesterday – Restart a Heart Day – to train 60 students to become CPR champions.

Science teacher Michael Turner said: “It was a fantastic morning and great to have ambulance staff with real world experience in to train our CPR champions.

“The champions were an asset to the school and trained hard.

The Comet: Fearnhill School years 10, 11 and sixth form students participate in the British Heart Foundation's Restart a Heart Day. Picture: DANNY LOOFearnhill School years 10, 11 and sixth form students participate in the British Heart Foundation's Restart a Heart Day. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2018 Archant)

“The plan now is for our champions to train the rest of our school community in this life-saving skill, using the 35 mannequins kindly donated by the British Heart Foundation.

“I am excited about watching the programme unfold as they train the rest of our school community in the weeks before Christmas.

“We are proud as a school to be contributing to potential life saving in our community.”

Headteacher Liz Ellis said: “The Restart a Heart initiative is a great way to raise awareness of heart disease, as well as helping our students understand their responsibility towards others.

The Comet: Fearnhill School years 10, 11 and sixth form students participate in the British Heart Foundation's Restart a Heart Day. Picture: DANNY LOOFearnhill School years 10, 11 and sixth form students participate in the British Heart Foundation's Restart a Heart Day. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2018 Archant)

“The CPR champions will share what they have learned with others and it all forms part of what makes Fearnhill students – young people ready to take their place in the world and contribute positively to society.”

The Comet: Fearnhill School years 10, 11 and sixth form students participate in the British Heart Foundation's Restart a Heart Day. Picture: DANNY LOOFearnhill School years 10, 11 and sixth form students participate in the British Heart Foundation's Restart a Heart Day. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2018 Archant)