Kids get busy with bandages

CHILDMINDER Darren Brooks with Niamh Molloy

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CHILDREN as young as two had the opportunity to take part in first aid training.

Around 80 children up to the age of 12 who are supported by Oldham childminders practised with bandages, during the day-long event.

Oldham Professional Independent Childminders (OPIC) linked up with the emergency services to run the event at Holy Family Church in Failsworth.

Paediatric trainer Garry Coombes, from the Training Company, demonstrated the recovery position and how to apply bandages.

Childminder Joanne Rutter who organised the event said: "The children were rehearsing on each other and someone even put me into the recovery position.

'Fantastic'

"The two-year-olds were also getting stuck in," she added.

"I thought the event was fantastic considering that the trainer had never done an event with this age range before.

"Even if children didn't take part in the training, it is brilliant that they have seen others do it - once children see something, they tend to remember it.

"We hope in time to make it an annual event."

Participants also learned about 999 awareness, with the emergency services delivering two talks during the course of the afternoon. The police spoke about cyber bullying, stranger danger and explained more about how to stay safe online.

Two members of the fire department also gave a talk about general fire safety.

The idea for running the course came when Joanne attended a first aid training course at Honeywell Conference and Events Centre last year.

Each of the children who took part will be given a certificate to confirm that they completed the first aider's awareness course.