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Colin Fairlamb, practice-based educator for the Woodlands Hospital, in Darlington, delivered basic life support training to supervisors at the Art of Survival group, which meets at the town’s Hippodrome Theatre.
Woodlands Hospital, which celebrates its 25th anniversary next year, provides the free training across the community, with Colin passing on his wealth of experience to local schools, businesses and charities.
The Art of Survival group was established by talented artist and former mechanic, Ken Longstaff, who is confined to a wheelchair after being struck down with the rare neurological condition, Guillain Barre Syndrome, in 2012.
Having seen how art boosted his own wellbeing, Ken wanted to spread the health benefits of painting and drawing to others, and the group has grown to 30 members in two-and-a-half years.
Ken’s wife, Bev, works in the outpatients’ department at Woodlands Hospital, and she suggested the idea of the group undergoing the life support saving training.
Colin has more than 40 years’ experience in health care, specialising as an operating department practitioner and resuscitation officer.
Ken said: “It’s vital that we have people in the group who are equipped to deal with a life-threatening situation, such as a heart attack, so having this training from Colin is invaluable. We can’t thank Woodlands Hospital enough for its support.”
Debbie Dobbs, Executive Director at the hospital, which is part of Circle Health Group, said: “Our aim at Woodlands Hospital is to be at the heart of the local community, and providing this basic life support training is an important illustration of that commitment.
“We want to deliver the training to as many people as possible, covering all ages, because the more sessions we provide, the more chance there is of lives being saved.
“Despite his own health challenges, Ken has done a wonderful job in establishing the Art of Survival, so we were delighted to be able to support him and the rest of the group.”
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