Sarah Jackson Community Wish Funds First Aid Training for Otley’s Primary Schools
Sarah Jackson Community Wish Funds First Aid Training for Otley’s Primary Schools
The Sarah Jackson Community Wish is making a remarkable impact on the young people of Otley by fully funding First Aid training to each of the town’s primary schools, ensuring that hundreds of children will be equipped with vital, life-saving skills. This initiative is being launched in time for Restart a Heart Day on 16th October, and the Wish is thrilled to announce that every local primary school has enthusiastically taken up the offer.
A Life-Saving Gift
The Sarah Jackson Community Wish has been established in memory of Sarah Jackson, a beloved member of the Otley community, following her tragic passing. Sarah suffered a sudden brain bleed whilst working, and it was the prompt First Aid she received on that day that gave her family the precious few days they had with her in the hospital. In her honour, the Wish is dedicated to giving back to the community and ensuring that Otley’s children have these essential First Aid skills is a cause very close to their hearts.
In Spring 2024, the Wish also donated £600 to Public Access Defibrillators, enabling the replacement of six expired pads in Otley. The committee has further agreed to become guardians of the town’s defibrillators.
Sarah’s family shared “The invaluable First Aid Sarah received ensured she arrived at the hospital alive, giving her a chance. Although nothing could be done to save her, it meant her organs were in suitable condition for donation, allowing her wishes to be fulfilled. Without that First Aid, those recipients wouldn’t have been able to receive her organs. We hope that this initiative will help save lives and offer other families the same chance.”
Community and School Support
The response from Otley’s primary schools has been overwhelming, with all schools signing up for the training, the cost of which will be covered by the Wish. The training will be delivered by PACO First Aid, a trusted local provider. The local schools benefiting from this generous initiative include All Saints C of E School, The Whartons, Westgate Primary, St Joseph’s, and Ashfield Primary.
Mrs. Luisa Di-Palma Heath, Head Teacher of Otley All Saints C of E School, expressed her excitement about the opportunity. “During our staff First Aid training after the summer holidays, I suggested how invaluable it would be to have our pupils trained in First Aid. The timing of this offer from the Sarah Jackson Community Wish is truly remarkable, and we’re absolutely delighted to be part of it.”
Local Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) have also expressed their deep gratitude for this initiative. They’ve recognised the value in offering First Aid training to children at such a young age and believe it could have a long-lasting positive impact on the young people and community.
A Lasting Legacy
The impact of the Sarah Jackson Community Wish goes beyond just this initiative. Sarah’s family was recently invited by Harrogate Hospital for the unveiling of Sarah’s picture, honouring her life and her ultimate gift of organ donation, through which she saved three lives. This was timed to coincide with Organ Donation Week, which took place from 23rd to 29th September, and it was a beautiful reminder of the legacy Sarah left behind.
Sarah’s family and the Community Wish have worked hard to support the people of Otley in her name, and thanks to the incredible support from donors, fundraisers, and the wider community, initiatives like this First Aid training have become a reality. The Wish is proud to support Otley’s future generations, and as far as they’re concerned, “this is money well spent”.
Photos by Jane Beadnell Photography
