A campaign has been started by the Red Cross for first aid and humanitarian education to be put on the schools curriculum.

The idea is to give youngsters the skills to help in emergencies.

Poplar & Limehouse MP Jim Fitzpatrick was among a group of politicians, teachers and schoolchildren at the Parliamentary launch of the ‘Pupil, Citizen Lifesaver’ project in Westminster last Thursday.

“Nearly all parents believe first aid should be taught in schools,” he said. “Learning life-saving skills and humanitarian education can only benefit youngsters.”

Pupils were joined by British Red Cross staff to show their skills and encourage MPs to back the campaign. They had undergone basic first aid courses and are now peer educators training classmates.

Fewer than one-in-five primary schools in Britain include first aid lessons. Now the Red Cross is hoping the Government’s curriculum review changes that.