Project helping east London youngsters gain life-saving skills

Life-saving lessons designed to help curb youth violence have been given to more than 1000 young people in schools across east London.

The project is run by St John’s Ambulance and young persons’ charity the Jimmy Mizen Foundation, set up by the parents of two murdered teenagers.

It aims to give young people an insight into the damage caused by acts of violence, as well as providing them with essential first aid training.

Margaret and Barry Mizen, whose son Jimmy was murdered on his 16th birthday, and Grace Idowu, whose 15-year-old son David died after being stabbed, are visiting schools to highlight the suffering which follows youth violence.

Year six pupils from Globe Primary School in Bethnal Green are now set to benefit from a visit this month.

Headteacher Kathleen Conway said: “The more we can increase our young people’s awareness of how to keep themselves safe and what to do if things go wrong the better for all of us.

“Let’s hope they never find themselves in a situation where someone’s life is at risk but should this happen, they’ll have a better idea of what to do to help and maybe even save that life.”

The lessons’ main message is for youngsters to shun violence, instead learning the skills which could help them make the difference in a life-and-death situation.

Around 45 pupils, aged 10-11, will take part in the lessons at Globe Primary School on June 17.

Organisers hope that up to 1500 east London pupils could receive training before the end of the summer term.