Schools in Anguilla will benefit from quality first aid training scheduled to commence in the new school year. This was revealed on Tuesday, June 10, at a presentation ceremony at Scotiabank, Anguilla, which is funding the programme at a cost of US4, 500.
The training is to be delivered by the Anguilla Red Cross in collaboration with the Department of Disaster Preparedness.
Just before presenting the cheque, Mrs Pamela Herbert-Daniel, Scotiabank’s Managing Director, said the donation would provide training in basic life support. The beneficiaries will include students at the Primary Schools, the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School campuses, Guidance Counsellors, Teachers, Assistant Teachers and Guidance Counsellors.
“Ensuring children are safe at school is a top priority for Scotiabank and parents alike,” Mrs Hubert-Daniel said. “We are aware that it will take minutes for an ambulance to arrive at a scene following an emergency call. By having someone on hand who has the appropriate skills, and feel confident enough to use them, can implement this emergency first aid immediately, potentially saving a life.”
The Managing Director said Scotiabank was committed to supporting the communities in which it was operating. She went on: “By bringing together the passion of our employees, the insight of our partners, and the spirit of our communities, the Scotiabank Bright Future Programme helps to support children and communities by creating a brighter future for everyone.”
Mrs Herbert-Daniel was grateful to Mr Valdez Johnson (Champion for the Scotiabank Bright Future), the Anguilla Red Cross and Mr Alwyn Richardson, for assisting with the process.
Mrs Dawn Reid, Education Service Planner, said in part: “The Ministry and Department of Education are indeed grateful for this initiative. We are quite appreciative of the efforts of the Department of Disaster Management, and for the generosity of Scotiabank Anguilla and the Bright Future Project to facilitate training in first aid for our schools.”
She stressed that there was a need for teachers, having children under their care for long periods, to be able to act effectively in the event of a health problem. “This initiative is quite timely,” she added. “Hence, it gives me great pleasure, on behalf of the Ministry and Department of Education, to say thank you to Scotiabank Anguilla for stepping forward and being a good corporate citizen and partner in such a critical area.”
Mr Trevor Queeley, Disaster Risk Reduction Manager at the Anguilla Red Cross, and Mr Alwyn Richardson, Programme Officer, Mitigation, Department of Disaster Management, were grateful to Scotiabank for its financial assistance – and underscored the importance of First Aid training in the school system.
